DEFENCE

Accident Inquiries

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what internal inquiries have been held into accidents involving Ministry of Defence property or equipment since 1997; what insurance policies the Ministry of Defence has in place to insure against accidents involving Ministry of Defence property or equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Information concerning numbers of inquiries into accidents involving Ministry of Defence property or equipment is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Current departmental policy requires the relevant operating authority to convene a Board of Inquiry or a Unit, Ship or Station Inquiry in the case of accidents, resulting in significant damage to buildings or equipment, or affecting operational capability. Less significant accidents are likely to be investigated at local level.
	Accidents involving MOD property or equipment may also be the subject of Boards of Inquiry convened to investigate serious injuries and fatalities.
	Treasury guidelines generally discourage public bodies from insuring risks unless it can be shown that the potential cost of claims paid, together with the cost of handling such claims, will exceed the cost of purchasing insurance. As the cost of premiums compared to the amounts paid in compensation would normally favour insurance companies, the MOD self-insures its core activities, and funds claims for compensation and the repair or replacement of lost or damaged property or equipment from its current expenditure.

Brigade Reorganisation

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many extra deployable troops will result from his reorganisation of (a) 52 (Lowland) Brigade and (b) Headquarters 2 (South East) Brigade.

Adam Ingram: The two light infantry brigade headquarters (52 Lowland) Brigade and 2 (South East) Brigade are being re-roled from regional brigade headquarters to provide better command and control arrangements for the light infantry role battalions, all of which are currently deployable. Thus the reorganisation of the two brigades will not result in an increase in the number of deployable troops. The change will bring greater coherence to the way that these units prepare for operations, through improved co-ordination of training.

Chatham Dockyard

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nuclear laundry facility at the former Chatham Dockyard, with particular reference to (a) physical and functional description and (b) outflow and drainage functioning.

Lewis Moonie: The Health Physics Laundry within the nuclear complex at the former Chatham Dockyard was equipped with washing machines and dryers. The floor of the laundry was finished with an epoxy resin to facilitate decontamination if required.
	Laundering was restricted to protective clothing with low or zero levels of radioactive contamination to enable its re-use. Clothing with higher levels of contamination was disposed of as radioactive waste.
	The laundry effluent was discharged untreated to the ordinary sewer as permitted by the (then) Department of Environment's Radiochemical Inspectorate. It was subject to regular sampling, to demonstrate that the levels of activity discharged to the sewer were insignificant.

Chatham Dockyard

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) physical and (b) functional characteristics of the washdown facility for radiation workers at the former Chatham Dockyard.

Lewis Moonie: The Washdown Area within the nuclear complex at the former Chatham Dockyard was a purpose-built facility primarily for the decontamination of components from the submarine reactor and any associated tools and equipment that had become radioactively contaminated. Separate washing facilities were provided for personnel leaving radioactively contaminated areas.
	The Washdown Facility had a stainless steel floor and stainless steel dividers and barriers. Large components were lowered and raised through roof hatches using an electric crane. Tented enclosures within the facility were used for some decontamination and close inspection work. Smaller equipments and tools were cleaned in stainless steel open vats using a solution of special detergents or demineralised water as required. The vats were positioned in an annexe to the Washdown Area with a continuous stainless steel floor, behind a stainless steel barrier, so enabling the containment and ready cleaning of any spillages. Water from the Washdown Area was directed via specific-to-purpose stainless steel drains into holding tanks in the adjacent Effluent Treatment Plant.
	Decontamination facilities for personnel leaving radioactively contaminated areas consisted of hand wash facilities and associated monitoring equipment, to meet the requirements of the Ionising Radiations (Unsealed Radioactive Substances) Regulations 1968. In addition, there were showers for use in the extremely rare occurrences of bodily contamination.

Chatham Dockyard

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long each of the outstanding claims for former Chatham Dockyard workers seeking compensation under the no fault scheme has been awaiting decision; how many compensation claims have been awarded in full to former workers or their families; and how many claims are being processed.

Lewis Moonie: There is one outstanding case involving an ex-Chatham Dockyard radiation worker that has been assessed by the British Nuclear Fuels Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases as eligible for compensation. The level of compensation due has been assessed and an offer in full and final settlement was made on 16 September 2002. A formal response to the offer is awaited.
	There have been no full (100 per cent.) awards made to former workers or their families by the Scheme. Two claims have been assessed as eligible for compensation at a lower level. One has settled and the other is as detailed above.
	There are no other claims currently being processed by the Scheme which relate to Chatham Dockyard workers.

Chatham Dockyard

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the radiation safety procedures were when workers were performing tasks in the dock at the former Chatham dockyard.

Lewis Moonie: Safety procedures for work in the dock at the former Chatham Dockyard were governed by the requirements of the Factories Act 1961 and subsequently the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, and subordinate legislation. The type of work being undertaken in the dock would have determined which safety procedures applied.

Civil Contingencies

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces are operationally ready for service in the event of a (a) nuclear, (b) biological and (c) chemical attack on the United Kingdom.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 November 2002
	The decision to form 14 Civil Contingency Reaction Forces (CCRFs) from existing Volunteer Reserve personnel was announced on 31 October 2002. None of the CCRFs is yet operational.

Civil Contingencies Reaction Force

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the extra men training days that have been granted for the Civil Contingencies Reaction Force will be spent on (a) bringing each service man and woman to a common standard of basic training and (b) CBRN training.

Adam Ingram: The training plans for the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces are still being developed. They will be aligned with existing Volunteer Reserve training and, in due course, with the requirements of specific regional contingency plans as these are developed in conjunction with local authorities and emergency services.

Civil Contingencies Reaction Force

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Civil Contingencies Reaction Force will be fully effective.

Adam Ingram: We expect that the 14 Civil Contingency Reaction Forces will be fully effective by the end of 2003, once they are fully recruited and have undergone an annual training cycle, and once the new regional liaison, planning, command and control arrangements are in place.

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy is of his Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 19 November 2002
	All civil servants are responsible for meeting the cost of their travel between home and normal place of work. The introduction of a Central London Road User Charge will not affect this basic condition of service. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence has no plans for reimbursing the cost of the Road User Charge where it is incurred as part of normal commuting. However, civil servants travelling on detached duty to other establishments are entitled to claim the cost of the resultant travel. Where road user charges—whether these be urban congestion charges or road/bridge tolls—are incurred on such journeys, these costs can be claimed.

Defence Logistics Organisation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultants have been hired to advise on computer systems for the Defence Logistics Organisation; and how much has been paid in fees to them.

Adam Ingram: Since the Defence Logistics Organisation was fully formed in April 2000 a number of consultants have been hired across the organisation to advise on computer systems. These are: Alenia Marconi, Belgravia Consultancy, British Telecom, Capital ASI, Cookie Ltd, Cornwell Affiliates Pic, Cap Gemini and Ernst and Young, Dbi, CTPi Logistics, Digital Think, Eurostep Ltd, EDS Ltd, Exe Technologies Ltd, Hancocks, Hays Personnel Services, IBM, KPMG, LSC Group Ltd, Methods Applications Ltd, Northgate Information Systems, Parity Solutions, Recital Corporation Ltd, Scientific Generics and Systems Consultant Services. These companies have assisted with advice on the support for current logistics systems as well as development work on new systems.
	The total amount paid to the above consultants is 52,572,875.

Defence Logistics Organisation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the seven key areas for improvement as identified by the Defence Logistics Organisation and what progress has been made in each.

Adam Ingram: Since the launch of the Defence Logistics Organisation on 3 April 2000, the organisation has focused on seven key areas in support of its corporate plan, to enable the delivery of agreed outputs to its customers at greatly reduced costs. The seven areas are people; inventory; industry; capital asset management; engineering support; e-business and convergence. Good progress has been made in all of these areas.

Drug Use (Armed Forces)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force tested positive for the use of controlled substances in the most recent testing programme; and if he will list those personnel discharged, broken down by military rank.

Lewis Moonie: The armed forces conduct a rolling Compulsory Drugs Testing programme. For the period 1 January and 30 June 2002 the numbers are as follows:
	
		
			 Service Number of tests Positive results Discharges 
		
		
			 The Naval Service 7,793 29 Lt Cdr x 1 CPO x l PO x 2 Leading Hand x 3 Able Rate x 20 
			 Army 44,625 255 Cpl x 2 L/Cpl x l6 Pte x 165 
			 RAF 5,038 3 Jnr Tech x 1 
		
	
	A number of personnel are awaiting a decision on discharge, therefore the discharge rate is likely to increase.

EU General Affairs Council

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what defence-related issues were decided at the EU General Affairs Council on Tuesday 19 November; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: EU Defence Ministers focused primarily on EU military capabilities and the European Capability Action Plan (ECAP). Ministers welcomed the progress made on ECAP, and agreed how to take the process forward to the second phase, the implementation of the solutions identified by the ECAP panels. Ministers also approved an update of the Helsinki Headline Catalogue and agreed that work should continue on developing the procedures and concepts for the rapid response elements of the Headline Goal. The full conclusions of the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council relating to the European Security and Defence Policy have been placed in the Library of the House.

Firefighters' Dispute

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are being trained to operate modern fire engines.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 November 2002
	I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 21 November 2002 Official Report, column 220W to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner).

Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a decision on the Hawk advanced jet trainer project; and what assessment he has made of the Hawk A1T8's potential for fulfilling the AJT criteria.

Lewis Moonie: We are working closely with BAE SYSTEMS to determine whether Hawk 128 will best meet our need for an advanced jet trainer. We also need to determine whether the aircraft would represent good value for money for the taxpayer. We have made useful progress but our work with the company, including our assessment of the aircraft's capability, is not yet complete. We are seeking to make a decision as soon as practicable.

HMS Nottingham

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he estimates repairs to HMS Nottingham will cost; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 143W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) and on 4 November 2002, Official Report, column 62W, to my hon. Friend for Dunfermline, West (Rachel Squire). While we expect Nottingham's future to be determined before her arrival in the United Kingdom in December, the decision has not yet been taken. In addition, the competition to inform that decision is still under way and it would not therefore be appropriate for me to speculate on the potential cost of any repair work.

Legal Services

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal assistance is available to members of the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Members of the Armed Forces are entitled to the same legal assistance as other members of the public. The assistance available through Service procedures is intended to mirror as closely as possible the arrangements in the civil justice system.
	In addition the Ministry of Defence will consider paying for the defence of an individual charged with a criminal offence where the offence arose as a result of actions undertaken in the course of employment and where certain strict criteria are met.

Low Frequency Sonar Systems

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the US Navy on low frequency active sonar; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what (a) representations and (b) advice his Department has received about the legality of operating low frequency active sonar systems; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence and its Agencies regularly engage in discussion with the United States on a range of issues. Low frequency active sonar is such an issue. We have received no formal representations as to the legality of operating low frequency sonar. A global Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared for the United Kingdom's low frequency sonar (Sonar 2087) which is currently under development and an EIA will also be undertaken for each development trial that is specific to the area concerned. Legal advice is part of each EIA. In addition, the global EIA was subject to independent legal review. We remain committed to meeting the requirements of UK law and of conventions to which the UK is signatory.

Lynx

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the new Lynx entering service with the Royal Navy.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 November 2002, Official Report, column 458W to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, South (Mr Jones).

Medical Care

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts exist between his Department and (a) national health service bodies and (b) private medical bodies to provide fast-track medical care for members of Her Majesty's forces.

Lewis Moonie: Currently, the Ministry of Defence has two contracts for fast-track medical care for Service personnel. These are between the Royal Navy and two private health care companies.

Military Documents

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many documents personnel from (a) the Army, (b) the Naval Service and (c) the Royal Air Force would normally be asked to sign (i) during the first year of service, (ii) during each subsequent year and (iii) before being sent on a deployment; and what the figures were in each of the past 15 years.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available shows for example that some 1.35 million applications for leave were made by Service Personnel during 2000–01 and that some 102,000 Personnel were posted to new appointments which were acknowledged by written signature. Work is underway within the Ministry of Defence to examine the scope for streamlining such administrative procedures.

MOD Contracts

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to ensure that smaller firms are not deterred from applying for Ministry of Defence contracts.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of smaller firms in driving innovation and contributing to the delivery of defence capability. The Defence Industry Policy paper published in October 2002 recognised the need to invest in early technology de-risking to stimulate continued improvement and innovation across the defence supply chain.
	Defence contract opportunities are advertised through publications such as the MOD Defence Contracts Bulletin and the official journal of the European Community (OJEC). MOD's Defence Suppliers Service (DSS) and Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) provide information and assistance to smaller firms interested in becoming defence suppliers.
	The MOD also works with the Department of Trade and Industry and its Small Business Service (SBS) to maintain awareness of initiatives aimed at harnessing innovation. In autumn 2001 a joint MOD/Industry Code of Best Practice was published covering relationships at all levels within the supply chain including those with smaller firms.

NATO Summit (Prague)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what issues will be discussed at the NATO Summit on 21 and 22 November 2002.

Geoff Hoon: Against the backdrop of the rapidly changing strategic setting, the NATO Summit in Prague on 21 and 22 November 2002 discussed the transformation of the Alliance, including: enlargement, with invitations to seven countries to commence accession negotiations; a new capabilities initiative (the 'Prague Capabilities Commitment'); reform of NATO's command structure; the new NATO Response Force; reinvigorated Partnership programmes, including building on the success of the NATO-Russia Council; and modernisation of NATO's internal structures and processes.

Private Stuart McMaster

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the recorded time of death of Private Stuart James McMaster of the 1st Royal Irish regiment on 15th June on Beiseker in Calgary, Canada; what action was taken to secure evidence at the scene of the death; at what time the Canadian police were notified of the death and what the conclusions were of their investigation; what the conclusions were of military police investigators; at what time the family of the deceased were notified; and what arrangements he has made for (a) the return of the deceased to the UK, (b) an inquest and (c) a Board of Inquiry.

Adam Ingram: Ranger (Rgr) Stuart James McMaster died at 15.25 hours Saturday 15 June 2002 during a privately paid for parachute jump at the Skydive Ranch, Beiseker, Alberta. He was deployed to Canada for adventure training, which had recently concluded. Within minutes of the accident, civilian paramedics attended the scene (the STARS (Calgary heli-born medics) and EMF Airdrie (Canadian civilian paramedics)) and pronounced Rgr McMaster dead. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to the scene at 15.35 hours and retained primacy of the investigation for the first 48 hours following the death; they concluded that there was nothing suspicious about the death. Jurisdiction was subsequently passed to the Royal Military Police (RMP) detachment at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). An investigator from the Land Accident Investigation Team, working for the RMP, concluded that the accident occurred as a result of Rgr McMaster being unstable after exiting the aircraft.
	The casualty visiting officer informed Rgr McMaster's next of kin and additional next of kin of his death at 00.45 hours Sunday 16 June. The deceased was returned to the United Kingdom at public expense from Canada to Ireland via London departing on 19 June and arriving in Northern Ireland on 20 June. A coroner's inquest was not held since the deceased did not die in Northern Ireland; however, Rgr McMaster's family were entitled to request an inquest be held.
	A determination on whether to hold a board of inquiry is yet to be made.

Puma Helicopters (South Africa)

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those companies who were consulted during the evaluation of options for refurbishment of the six ex-Republic of South Africa Puma helicopters, when he expects the (a) first aircraft to be available for service and (b) the final aircraft to be available for service; and if the evaluation included assessment of the costs of awarding the contract to Eurocopter compared with UK-based companies.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 19 November 2002
	During the evaluation of options, we consulted Eurocopter, the prime Design Authority (DA) for the main structural conversion, and Westland Helicopters Ltd., Yeovil, the designated DA for the United Kingdom-specific equipment fits and installation of United Kingdom-specific modifications.
	The timescale for the delivery of the aircraft into service is the subject of contractual negotiations with Eurocopter and Westland Helicopters Ltd. and is commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
	I can confirm that during the evaluation process, full consideration was given to a wide range of issues including cost.

Rapid Reaction Light Infantry Brigades

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has plans to re-designate 2 and 52 Infantry Brigades as Rapid Reaction Light Infantry Brigades.

Adam Ingram: There are no plans to re-designate 2 and 52 Infantry Brigades as Rapid Reaction Light Infantry Brigades.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 567W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne), the two brigades have been re-roled from regional brigade headquarters to provide better command and control arrangements for light infantry role battalions, all of which are currently deployable. The change will bring greater coherence to the way that these units prepare for operations through improved co-ordination of training.

Reserve Forces

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what emergency powers are available to enable the mobilisation of reserve forces in the event of terrorist attack on the United Kingdom.

Lewis Moonie: If it was deemed necessary to call-out Reservists in the event of a terrorist attack on the United Kingdom, they would be brought into permanent service using the powers of call-out contained in the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA 96).

Retired Officer Scheme

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many retired officer billets are empty.

Lewis Moonie: There are presently 237 retired officer posts unfilled. Individuals have been appointed into 36 of these, but are yet to take up post.

Secondments

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the staff seconded to his Department from the private sector since April 2000, stating in each case the secondee's name, company, position within his Department and the duration of placement.

Lewis Moonie: It is our practice to respect the privacy of our personnel, including those on secondment, and to withhold the names of individuals in accordance with Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, except where the seniority of the individual or the nature of the post warrants a formal announcement.
	Alan Garwood's appointment as Head of Defence Export Services (Serial 26) was announced on 16 September 2002.
	
		
			 Company Role Duration(1) 
		
		
			 BAE Systems Business Development 6 
			 Addleshaw, Booth & Co. Legal Adviser 12 
			 BAE Systems Acquisition Training 12 
			 BAE Systems Avionics 8 
			 AXA plc Claims Manager 8 
			 QinetiQ Director of Marketing 36 
			 BAE Systems Air Systems Technology Manager 24 
			 BAE Systems Commercial Support 6 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Commercial Adviser 12 
			 Babtie Group Commercial Support 9 
			 BAE Systems Warship Support 36 
			 URS Ltd. Risk Manager 5 
			 BAE Systems Support Chain Adviser 31 
			 Ernst & Young Commercial Adviser 12 
			 Rolls Royce Propulsion Project Engineer 24 
			 QinetiQ Future Business Group 32 
			 QinetiQ Customer Support Manager 24 
			 Burges Salmon Legal Adviser 8 
			 BAE Systems Support Chain Adviser 24 
			 MASS Consultants Electronic Warfare Technical Support 48 
			 Hagglunds Vehicle AB Engineering Advice and Support 22 
			 Wragg & Co. Legal Adviser 10 
			 BAE Systems Logistics Capability Development 24 
			 Rolls Royce Maritime Team Leader 36 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Private Partnering Adviser 12 
			 BAE Systems Head Defence Export Services 36 
			 BAE Systems Air Logistics Support 12 
			 BAE Systems Ship Systems Project Leader 24 
			 BAE Systems Graduate Trainee (acquisition assessment) 6 
		
	
	(1) Month

Secondments

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the senior staff from his Department who have been seconded to the defence industry since April 2000, stating in each case the secondee's name, position, company and duration of placement and whether the person concerned is still employed by his Department.

Lewis Moonie: It is our practice to respect the privacy of our personnel, including those on secondment, and to withhold the names of individuals in accordance with Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information except where the seniority of the individual or the nature of the post warrants a formal announcement.
	The secondment of John Howe as a Director at Thomson-CSF/Thales Defence Ltd. was announced in May 2000; the secondment was for two years. Mr Howe is no longer a Ministry of Defence employee.
	
		
			 Position Company Duration Current MOD Employee 
		
		
			 Director Thomson-CSF/Thales Defence Ltd. 24 months No 
			 Strategy Director Electronic Data Systems 24 months Yes 
			 Senior Project Manager Rolls Royce plc 24 months Yes 
			 Manager Operational Development BAE SYSTEMS 24 months Yes 
			 Deputy Technical Director Thales Defence Ltd. 24 months Yes 
			 Research & Technology Liaison Officer BAE SYSTEMS 6 months Yes

Submarines

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it has cost to make the submarines sold to Canada fit to put to sea; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The cost of the refurbishment of the Upholder Class submarines is commercially sensitive and I am withholding the details in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Tomahawk Missiles

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the modifications of the next generation of Tactical Tomahawk missiles.

Lewis Moonie: An equally funded United Kingdom-United States programme is in progress to develop and test a version of the Tactical Tomahawk Block IV missile capable of being fired from submarine torpedo tubes. The first test firing is expected to take place next year.

VX Nerve Agent

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received from the US Government about Iraq's possession of the dusty form of VX nerve agent; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Intelligence communications between the United Kingdom and foreign governments are confidential and I am therefore withholding the information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The Government's assessment of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was published on 24 September.

Whittington Barracks

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the investigation of allegations of (a) rape and (b) bullying at the Army Training Regiment in Whittington Barracks near Lichfield; and what steps he is taking to reassure relations of soldiers at the barracks of their safety.

Lewis Moonie: The allegations made recently refer to events that are said to have occurred in 1997 and earlier. In respect of the rape allegation, no formal complaint has been made to the Ministry of Defence and there is no specific investigation ongoing. Naturally, should the allegation be made formally, then the department will instigate a full and proper investigation. I can confirm that claims have been brought against the Ministry of Defence in respect of bullying which took place at Whittington Barracks in 1991–92. As the claims are the subject of litigation I cannot comment further. Bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated in the Army and any such allegations will always be thoroughly investigated. If such allegations are proven, appropriate action will be taken against the perpetrators.

WALES

Grants

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the grants funded by his Department for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; and if he will make a statement as to (a) the total of such funding in the last financial year, (b) the total number of awards and (c) their administrative costs.

Peter Hain: My Department does not fund any grants for individual members of the public and organisations.

Welsh Language

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the remit of his spokesperson on the Welsh language.

Peter Hain: Wales Office policy on the Welsh language is a matter for Wales Office Ministers; I have not appointed anyone else to speak for us on these matters.
	As part of my strong commitment to it, I regard it as important that Government policy is presented in the Welsh language. The hon. Member for Ynys Mon, (Albert Owen), has kindly agreed to assist in this.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensioners

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the need for pension reform.

Ian McCartney: We have come a long way in our ambition to combat poverty and promote security and independence in retirement. State Second Pension and the groundbreaking Pension Credit, which is being introduced in October 2003, will mainly benefit women and those, on low incomes. But we still have further to go.
	The Government's proposals will be published in a Green Paper shortly.

New Deal

Malcolm Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact the New Deal for 25 plus has had on levels of unemployment.

Nick Brown: Since 1997, long-term unemployment has been cut by around three quarters, to its lowest level for more than 25 years. New Deal 25 plus has played an important part in this success, so far helping over 112,000 people into work (90 in my hon. Friend's constituency).
	In April 2001 New Deal 25 plus was re-engineered, to provide a flexible, more individually-tailored service to help more people get jobs and remain in them. The enhanced programme is performing well, increasing the rate at which participants enter jobs.
	We are building on this success and enhancing and extending New Deal 25 plus even further. Next April we will be piloting more intensive help during the Gateway period and extending eligibility to all jobseekers who have been unemployed for 18 months out of the previous three years.

Benefit Fraud

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his targets are for the reduction of benefit fraud.

Malcolm Wicks: We have recently announced a target of a 25 per cent. reduction in fraud and error in Housing Benefit for working age customers by 2006. This is in addition to the targets we have already set to reduce fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance for working age customers, which aim for a 33 per cent. reduction by 2004 and a 50 per cent. reduction by 2006. Latest figures show that we are on course to achieve more than double our March 2002 target of a 10 per cent. reduction.

Poverty

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce household poverty.

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is taking to reduce the number of households in poverty.

Malcolm Wicks: We recently published Opportunity for all—Fourth Annual Report 2002 (Cm 5598), which provides a detailed account of our strategy, measurement indicators and what more we need to do. The report shows that we have achieved a great deal and that our approach is working and we will continue to deliver on this challenge over the years to come.

Incapacity Benefit

Tony McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact on passported benefits the move from severe disablement allowance to incapacity benefit has had on the standard of living of young disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: We have reformed Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance in order to provide more support to young people disabled early in life who have never had the opportunity to work. We estimate that around 175,000 young people will benefit from the change over time.
	Depending on their circumstances, young disabled people receiving incapacity benefit will still be able to qualify for help with NHS charges or other passported benefits on the grounds of low income.
	We recognise that some young people will no longer have automatic entitlement to this help. But many of them will already be considerably better off as a result of the changes we have introduced. It would be unfair to treat these people differently to other incapacity benefit recipients.

Air Base Job Losses

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence to discuss the loss of jobs following the announcement in July of the proposed closure of several experimental air bases; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: We have not had any discussions with the Ministry of Defence about possible job losses resulting from the proposed closure of experimental air bases. Officials from Jobcentre Plus have contacted Qineteq Ltd, the company in my hon. Friend's constituency affected by these proposals, to offer advice and assistance with any redundancies. Although their help is not needed at this time, Jobcentre Plus will maintain contact with the company in case any help is needed in the future.

Jobcentre Staff (IT)

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to enhance IT expertise for Jobcentre staff.

Nick Brown: Jobcentre Plus managers identify individual training needs with their members of staff. Each member of staff has a personal development plan that includes training to ensure they have the IT expertise required for their job. National training plans are developed side by side with the development of new IT systems to ensure that staff are equipped to use the new systems when they come online. Jobcentre Plus is also carrying out a study into the practicalities of using computer-based learning to ensure that best practice is followed in IT training across such a large organisation.
	Through the timely identification of learning needs and provision of suitable training, Jobcentre Plus are enhancing the IT skills, knowledge and confidence of staff so that they can deliver a high quality service to the public.

Unemployment (Workington)

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change in the level of unemployment in the Workington constituency has been since 1997.

Nick Brown: Economic stability and active labour market programmes have helped people move from welfare to work in all parts of the country. In my hon. Friend's constituency, claimant unemployment has halved since 1997 and long-term unemployment has fallen by nearly 80 per cent.

Final Salary Pension Scheme

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the protection awarded to final salary scheme pensioners when companies are wound up.

Ian McCartney: When a company and its final salary pension scheme are wound up, pensioners are protected by the 1995 Pensions Act and regulations. A statutory priority order ensures that, after additional voluntary contributions, pensions in payment are secured ahead of other benefits, so that those already in retirement continue to receive a pension.
	The employer debt provisions place a debt on an insolvent company's estate that is calculated, in part, to bring a wound up scheme's assets up to a level sufficient to meet the notional costs of buying annuities for pensioners.
	The independent trustee provisions require insolvency practitioners to make sure that schemes that are winding up have one trustee who is independent. Trustees are required to report their progress regularly to Opra.

Universal Bank Account

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of the universal bank account scheme on pensioners living in rural communities.

Malcolm Wicks: The introduction of universal banking services (which consists of two elements: access to basic bank accounts and the Post Office card account) will help ensure that all customers, including pensioners living in rural areas, can continue to access their benefits in cash at the Post Office. It will also provide customers with a wider range of accounts that they can choose to have their benefit or pension paid into. Universal banking services is an innovative idea that will also help to broaden the Post Office's customer base and open up new sources of income.

Action for Jobs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Action for Jobs programme.

Nick Brown: The 63 Action Teams for Jobs are having a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged people in the most economically deprived areas of the country.
	By the end of September this year they had helped over 50,000 jobless people into work. An evaluation study of the first year of the initiative found that 80 per cent. of people who found jobs through Action Teams moved into sustained jobs.
	The Action Team which operates in my hon. Friend's constituency has been very successful, helping almost 1,000 people move into jobs.
	We are building on Action Teams' success. Earlier this year we introduced the Employment Projects and Transport Projects Funds, worth £2 million and £5 million a year respectively. Teams can bid for additional money from these funds to support initiatives that will benefit their local communities.

Construction Industry (Fatalities)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement about the number of fatalities in the construction industry in the last year for which figures are available.

Nick Brown: The number of fatal injuries to construction workers dropped to 79 in the period from April 2001 to March 2002 from 105 in the previous year, a 25 per cent. reduction.

Ageism

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to end age discrimination in employers' recruitment practices.

Nick Brown: We have made a pledge to tackle age discrimination and we are committed to introducing age legislation covering employment, vocational training and guidance by 2006.
	We are already encouraging employers to adopt non-ageist employment practices through our Age Positive Campaign. The campaign raises employers' awareness of the business benefits of an age diverse workforce and encourages a flexible approach to retirement to open up choice and opportunity for individuals to stay in work longer.
	In 1999 we published the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment which sets out the standards for non-ageist approaches to recruitment, training, promotion, redundancy and retirement. The code was developed with leading organisations including the CBI, TUC, the Employers Forum on Age and Age Concern. Evaluation shows that from 1999 to 2001 the number of companies using age in recruitment had already fallen from 27 per cent. to 13 per cent. and the number of companies having a policy against employing older workers had dropped from 14 per cent. to 7 per cent.
	Older workers have a wealth of skills and experience that can benefit individual businesses and the economy as a whole. Our policies will help to improve further the employment rate of people over 50, which has risen considerably since 1997.

Pension Plans

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to encourage each individual to plan for independence in retirement.

Andrew Smith: The Government are providing pension information and advice, including the pension guide and pension forecasts, to help people make informed choices in planning for their retirement.

Pensioner Incomes

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets the Government have set for increasing the proportion of pensioners' incomes that come from the state.

Maria Eagle: The Government are committed to combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement and we have a range of targets to support these objectives. As a result of our policies no pensioner need live on less than £98.15 a week, and for couples £149.80.

Travel-to-Work Costs

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help unemployed people with travel-to-work arrangements.

Nick Brown: We recognise that the lack of affordable transport can be a significant barrier to work for jobless people, and have a number of measures in place to help them overcome these difficulties.
	Earlier this month we announced the extension of half price rail fares to 125,000 more people on the New Deal programme, making it easier for them to get to job interviews and easier to get to work in the first few months of employment.

Unemployment (Kettering)

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change has been in the level of unemployment in the Kettering constituency since May 1997.

Nick Brown: Our policies have created a strong economy geared to delivering stability, low inflation and sound public finances. Alongside this, our labour market policies promote attachment to the job market, whatever the stage of the business cycle. In my hon. Friend's constituency, claimant unemployment has fallen by 40 per cent. since 1997 and long term unemployment has fallen by over 80 per cent.

Unemployment Figures

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of recent unemployment statistics for the United Kingdom in comparison with other EU countries.

Nick Brown: The Government's policies have created a strong economy geared to delivering stability, low inflation and sound public finances. Alongside this, our labour market policies promote attachment to the jobs market, whatever the stage of the business cycle.
	As a result the number of people in work is at record levels and unemployment has fallen to levels not seen since the 1970s and has remained at these low levels for over a year.
	We have the lowest unemployment rate of the G7 major industrialised countries and UK unemployment is below the average level in the EU and lower than the other major EU economies.

Jobcentre Plus

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of user reaction to Jobcentre Plus.

Nick Brown: The first 66 integrated Jobcentre Plus offices are now open and we will extend that network to cover the whole of Great Britain over the next four years. First reactions from both individual customers and employers have been overwhelmingly positive.
	Jobcentre Plus will also be undertaking a National Customer Satisfaction Survey at the end of this year and will be publishing the findings in the spring of 2003.

Unemployment (Anniesland)

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change is in the level of unemployment in the Glasgow, Anniesland constituency since May 1997.

Nick Brown: The Government's active labour market programmes, building on the foundation of a stable economy, are helping more and more people move from a life of benefits into work. In my hon. Friend's constituency, claimant unemployment has fallen by a third since 1997, and long-term unemployment has fallen by 55 per cent.
	As well as the New Deals, we have Action Teams for Jobs and Employment Zones operating in areas with persistently high levels of unemployment. The Glasgow Employment Zone, which includes my hon. Friend's constituency, has already helped over 3,000 people find work.

Child Support Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted, and what the average sentence was from that conviction, for the criminal offence of non-co-operation with the Child Support Agency.

Malcolm Wicks: 24 cases have been referred to the courts. Of these, 10 have been dealt with and have resulted in the average sentence being a six month conditional discharge. The remaining 14 cases suitable for court action are at various stages such as awaiting a court date, awaiting the laying of information or awaiting service of a summons.

Civil Service Pensioners

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review pensions given to civil service employees who started their employment prior to 1949 and who receive half pensions for that period.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have no plans to change the basis upon which service before 1949 is taken into account for the purposes of a civil service pension.

Housing Benefit Fraud and Error

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will announce the baseline figure for assessing progress in meeting his target of reducing fraud and error in housing benefit by 25 per cent. by 2006, as set out on page 119 of the 2002 Spending Review.

Malcolm Wicks: The Housing Benefit Review, which is under way, will enable us to establish a baseline level of fraud and error for the financial year 2002–03. The results of this review should be available in autumn 2003.

Pension Schemes

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how Article 8 of the European Directive on Insolvency Rights SO/987/EEC has been enacted in the UK.

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will implement the obligation in EC Insolvency Directive 8 as it affects pensions schemes.

Ian McCartney: The Government meet their obligations under Article 8 of the Insolvency Directive. For example, the Pension Schemes Act 1993 in GB (which consolidated provisions originally in the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978) provides that certain unpaid pension scheme contributions can be claimed from the National Insurance Fund, through the Redundancy Payments Service, if an employer becomes insolvent. If a claim is successful funds are paid to the trustees of the scheme being wound up. In addition, the Pensions Act 1995 requires salary-related schemes to meet the Minimum Funding Requirement, and provides for a statutory priority order for the distribution of a scheme's assets if a scheme that is required to meet the MFR winds up.

Unemployment (Wirral, South)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the levels of unemployment in Wirral, South since May 1997.

Nick Brown: Economic stability and active labour market programmes have helped people move from welfare to work in all parts of the country. In my hon. Friend's constituency, claimant unemployment has halved since 1997 and long-term unemployment has fallen by over 75 per cent.
	As well as the New Deals, we have Action Teams for Jobs and Employment Zones operating in areas with persistently high levels of unemployment. Up to October this year, the Wirral Action Team had engaged with 1,344 jobless people and found work for 676 of them.

PRIME MINISTER

Correspondence

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he has had a reply to the letter he sent to Chancellor Schröder concerning Catherine Meyer.

Tony Blair: As my hon. Friend is aware, this case is an on-going matter between the British and German Governments.

Interception of Communications

George Galloway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the undertakings given by successive Prime Ministers on surveillance of hon. Members with special reference to Mr. David Nellist.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 367W.

Lord Levy

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the countries visited by Lord Levy since the last General Election, giving in each case the dates and purposes of the visits.

Tony Blair: holding answer 20 November 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 30 October 2002, Official Report, column 856W and on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 143W. Lord Levy made other visits between 23 October 2001 and 11 March 2002. These were:
	Israel/Palestinian Authority—31 October 2001, 17–19 December 2001, 5–7 February 2002
	Germany—29 January 2002
	France—30 January 2002
	Egypt—4–5 February 2002
	Jordan—stopover on 5 February 2002
	Lord Levy undertook all these visits in his capacity as the Prime Minister's envoy, to exchange views on the middle east peace process.

Mexico

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Fox of Mexico regarding British support for Plan Puebla Panama.

Tony Blair: President Fox briefed me on Plan Puebla Panama during my visit to Mexico in August 2001. Other Government Ministers have discussed the plan with the Mexican Government, and Central American Governments, on a number of occasions since then.

Ministerial Code

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the evidential basis for Lord Macdonald's statement of 12 February, Official Report, column 1995, in respect of paragraph 27 of the Ministerial Code;
	(2)  what recent amendments have been made to paragraph 27 of the Ministerial Code.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 November 2002, Official Report, column18W.

NATO Summit

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the objectives of Her Majesty's Government at the NATO summit in Prague.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I gave in the House today.

Turkey (EU Accession)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Prime Minister what his stance will be on Turkey's accession to the European Union at the EU summit at Copenhagen.

Tony Blair: We believe Turkish membership of the European Union would be a good thing for Turkey, for Europe and for the wider world. We would like to see Turkey start negotiations as soon as possible, by meeting the conditions which apply to all candidates. We want the Copenhagen European Council to signal a decisive step forward in Turkey's candidature.

Turkish Leaders

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister whether he intends to meet the Turkish leaders on their present tour to European capitals.

Tony Blair: I met Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party, and Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, on 20 November.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Disabled People (Home Adaptations)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the waiting time is for the processing of applications for adaptations to homes for disabled people; and what is being done to speed up the process.

Des Browne: The time scale for having applications completed varies depending on the nature and scale of the work required. For Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties 50 per cent. of urgent heating cases are completed within 17 weeks while in non urgent cases 96 per cent. are completed in 52 weeks. In private sector cases it issues schedules of work in 82 per cent. of cases within 12 weeks of inspection and approves 97 per cent. of cases within six months of receipt of a completed formal application form. The times scales are influenced by factors such as having plans drawn up and approved as well as the need to have an assessment carried out to determine the needs of the disabled person.
	For its own properties the Housing Executive and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have jointly carried out a review of the adaptation service. Significant progress has been made in reducing the requirement for assessment by the occupational therapy service through increased use of fast tracking and waiting times are expected to be reduced by the recruitment of additional Occupational Therapists (17 have been recruited). For private sector cases, the Housing Executive is setting up a working group to examine ways of improving the applications process and in the longer term, the new housing legislation will allow for fast tracking on agreement with the Occupational Therapy Service.

Households Below Average Income

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to produce (a) statistics on households below average income and (b) estimates of take-up of income-related benefits comparable with those produced in Great Britain.

Des Browne: The family resources survey was extended from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in April 2002. It is intended that from 2002–03, statistics on households below average income and estimates of take-up of income-related benefits will be produced for Northern Ireland in a form exactly comparable to those available for Great Britain, and to a similar timescale.

Housing

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will bring forward legislation on housing matters which had been subject to the legislative process in the Northern Ireland Assembly prior to suspension of devolution; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Housing Support Services Order was laid before Parliament on 15 November 2002 and it is proposed that the provisions included in the Northern Ireland Housing Bill will be laid before Parliament early in the new year.
	The housing support services provisions need to be in place by April 2003 to cover a new method for funding the costs associated with providing housing support services for vulnerable people in supported accommodation. The provisions contained in the Northern Ireland Housing Bill, which will also become an Order in Council, cover a wide range of measures including provision for a discretionary grants scheme, caravan sites for travellers, a registration scheme for houses in multiple occupation; anti-social behaviour, and a variety of miscellaneous matters.

Knowledge-based Economy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's long term spending plans for creating a knowledge-based economy in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: The Executive's Draft Budget for 2003–04 to 2005–06 was announced in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 24 September 2002. We are currently considering the responses to the Draft Budget consultation exercise which ended on 15 November 2002 and will be announcing Revised Budget spending plans for the Northern Ireland departments in December.
	These plans will set out the allocations which are to be provided to promote the development of a knowledge-based economy in Northern Ireland.

Larne to Whitehead Railway Line

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to (a) decommission and (b) preserve the Larne to Whitehead railway line.

Angela Smith: There are no plans to decommission or mothball the railway line from Whitehead to Larne. As specified in the regional transportation strategy for Northern Ireland 2002–12, the railways services north of Whitehead, and those north and north-west of Ballymena will be considered once the results from the introduction of new trains and improved infrastructure in the rest of the network are assessed in the early stage of implementing the ten year strategy.

Lung Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of people diagnosed with lung cancer have been treated by surgery in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available.

Des Browne: Information is not available in the form requested.
	The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry estimate that the number of persons diagnosed with lung cancer in Northern Ireland every year is approximately 875. The total number of persons in Northern Ireland with lung cancer is estimated to be around 3,400.
	The number of admissions to hospital in Northern Ireland with a primary diagnosis of lung cancer who received treatment by surgery is detailed in the following table.
	
		Admissions to hospital in Northern Ireland with a primary diagnosis of lung cancer
		
			  Number of admissions Number of admissions which had surgery Percentage of admissions which had surgery 
		
		
			 2001–02 2,403 1,712 71 
			 2000–01 2,605 1,746 67 
			 1999–2000 2,097 1,284 61

Pension Provision

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to make pension provision for part-time members of the police reserved in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: In September 2001 a contract was agreed with Standard Life to provide a stakeholder pension facility from 8 October 2001 for the police service of Northern Ireland reserve (part-time).
	This ensured that the employer's obligation, under the Welfare Reform and Pensions (NI) Order 1999, was met, offering employees access to a stakeholder pension scheme by designating a scheme that employees can join if they wish.

Pensioners (Personal Care)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce free personal care for pensioners in Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: The Inter-Departmental Group's Report on Free Personal Care was forwarded to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on Thursday 8 August 2002. Following discussion at the Executive on 12 August 2002, Ministers asked for further work to be undertaken. That work has not yet been completed. In any event, it is not possible at this stage to give any indication about plans to introduce free personal care here, since this is a matter that should be determined by the Executive.

Pre-School Funding

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of children in their immediate pre-school year places in Northern Ireland have not received departmental funding.

Jane Kennedy: The Pre-school Education Expansion Programme aims to provide a place for every child whose parents wish it by March 2003. This school year we are providing places for more than 90 per cent. of the total estimated cohort of children in their pre-school year. Given that participation in pre-school education is voluntary rather than compulsory, we expect this level of provision to be adequate to meet demand across the region as a whole. At present my Department is working closely with each Education and Library Board's Pre-School Education Advisory Group in order to ensure that the most effective allocation of funded places has been achieved.

Social Security Appeals Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional resources will be available to the Social Security Appeals Service to address the backlog in cases awaiting tribunal hearings.

Des Browne: Funding of almost £600,000 was made available to the appeals service during 2002–03 to fund the cost of 20 additional staff, overtime working and the payment of fees to 25 newly appointed Tribunal members. As a result of this the number of hearings was increased by 17 per cent and the number of appeals outstanding has reduced by 33 per cent.

Universities (Research and Development)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much and what percentage of the total budget for Northern Ireland will be directly allocated to research and development in universities in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: The Executive's Draft Budget for 2003–04 to 2005–06 was presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 24 September 2002. We are currently considering the responses to the Draft Budget consultation exercise which ended on 15 Novermber 2002 and will be announcing revised Budget spending plans for the Northern Ireland departments for 2003–04 to 2005–06 in early December.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Access to Medicines

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the remit is of the UK's Working Group on Access to Medicines; who the members of the group are; who it has consulted; and when it expects to report its conclusions to Parliament.

Clare Short: The High Level Working Group on Access to Medicines has been focusing on improving access to medicines through encouraging appropriate donations, facilitating differential pricing arrangements, and increasing research and development into medicines and vaccines for the three main diseases prevalent in developing countries: HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. The third and final meeting this Thursday will be focusing on tiered (differential) pricing of drugs. I will send a report and recommendations to the Prime Minister in early September and report to Parliament at the start of the new session. We are looking to take the recommendations forward with some urgency within international fora over the coming year.
	The Working Group comprises:
	Department for International Development
	Department of Health
	Department of Trade and Industry
	H M Treasury
	Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry
	AstraZeneca
	GlaxoSmithKline
	World Health Organisation
	World Trade Organisation
	European Commission
	Rockefeller Foundation
	Wellcome Trust
	Uganda High Commission London
	University of Cambridge.
	The Working Group has also consulted with Non-Govermental Organisations (NGOs) and the generic-based pharmaceutical industry.

Afghanistan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government are doing to equip hospitals in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: We are directing the majority of our funds through UN agencies, major NGOs and the World Bank Trust Fund. We have provided £2 million to the World Health Organisation; in addition to this some of the funds directed through NGOs have been specifically for the area of healthcare, including the provision of primary healthcare, and the emergency restoration of healthcare facilities.

Afghanistan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being provided to hospitals in Afghanistan to ensure they have regular supplies of electricity.

Clare Short: A number of major donors, including the World Bank and the EC are providing support for urban infrastructure. The German Government are also supporting power supply rehabilitation. In order to avoid replication of work we are not working in this sector although we have provided over £2 million for healthcare needs through the World Health Organisation and NGOs.

Afghanistan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has given to the Government of Afghanistan to pay the salaries of public servants.

Clare Short: We have contributed £10 million ($15 million) into the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), out of an estimated total for 2002–03 of $140 million; of this, some 90 per cent. will help meet Afghanistan's recurrent costs. The Afghanistan budget is $460 million, of which an estimated 80 per cent. will be for salaries. The UK funding for the ARTF is untied and unearmarked.

Afghanistan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the money her Department pledged to Afghanistan for this year has been disbursed; and when she expects to disburse the remainder 100 per cent. of the money.

Clare Short: At Tokyo in January we pledged £200 million to Afghanistan over five years, of this we have allocated £65 million for the current financial year. So far this year we have disbursed just over £37 million (57 per cent.). We expect to disburse a further £12.5 million to address Afghanistan's arrears with International Financial Institutions by the end of November. The remainder of the £65 million will be disbursed by the end of the financial year.

Afghanistan

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what Britain's contribution is to international funding for the reconstruction of Afghanistan; how much Britain has agreed to contribute in each of the next three years; and how much has already been committed.

Clare Short: holding answer 18 November
	At the meeting on the reconstruction of Afghanistan, held in Tokyo in January this year the UK pledged 200 million to Afghanistan over the next five years. For the current financial year we have allocated 65 million for both reconstruction and humanitarian needs. In addition to this there is 1.8 million available from the mine action programme for specific work to address the problem of land mines in Afghanistan and a further 18 million in the Global Conflict Prevention Pool. We are currently considering resources for future financial years in our Resource Allocation Round process.

African Action Plan

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how the African Action Plan highlighted in the Queen's Speech will be implemented; and whether this will result in her Department increasing the amount of aid from the UK recently announced for NEPAD.

Clare Short: We have published an Implementation Plan setting out how we will take forward the G8 Africa Action Plan. This sets out key milestones and objectives to be achieved in the run up to the next G8 Summit in Evian. My Department is responsible for coordinating UK implementation of the G8 Africa Action Plan in close co-operation with other Government Departments. Baroness Amos is continuing to pursue the UK agenda within the G8 in her role as the Prime Minister's Africa Personal Representative. A progress report on the Africa Action Plan will be presented by Africa Personal Representatives at the next Summit. The Prime Minister has committed the UK to a £1 billion bilateral programme in Africa by 2006.

Arms Sales

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what military equipment has been purchased with funds from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool in each year since the programme's inception, indicating in each case the amount spent and the end uses.

Clare Short: The Africa Conflict Prevention Pool became operational in FY 2001–02. The aim of the Pool is to improve the effectiveness of the UK's contribution to conflict prevention, reduction and peacekeeping in sub-Saharan Africa. The Pool covers the direct conflict prevention activities of the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, where a joint approach adds value.
	Details of military equipment purchased with Pool funding, since the inception of the Pool, are as follows:
	
		
			 Recipient Financial Year Cost Description 
		
		
			 Sierra Leone 2001–02 £5.27 million Personal equipment, light weapons, ammunition, communications equipment and vehicles for the Sierra Leone armed forces 
			 Kenya 2001–02 £14,000 Thirty-five (35) mine detectors for Kenyan armed forces deploying as part of the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea 
		
	
	All of the above equipment was provided by the Ministry of Defence. The equipment for Sierra Leone was provided as part of the UK programme of support for the Sierra Leone Government. The purpose was to assist in training and equipping the armed forces and was announced in Parliament at the time.
	The equipment to Kenya was provided in March 2002 along with demining training for the Kenyan armed forces prior to their deployment to UNMEE.

Developing Countries

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what initiatives are being pursued by her Department to provide targeted support and protection for local producers of developing countries in order for them to benefit from international trade; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what initiatives are being pursued by her Department to provide targeted support and protection for local producers in developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Poor country producers can best be helped through a combination of supportive policies and programmes in country and significant trade liberalisation in areas of importance to them. Through the Doha Development Agenda agreed at the fourth WTO ministerial in November 2001, the UK is arguing for significant reductions in trade distorting policies and greater access for developing country products to OECD markets, particularly for agricultural goods and light manufactures.
	Specifically, the UK Government support the Integrated Framework, which aims to mainstream trade issues into a country's growth and poverty reduction strategies. This ensures that the right sort of complementary policies i.e. rural roads, access to credit or skill training, can be developed to reduce the impact on poor people of changes in their livelihoods and enable small producers to take advantage of new trading opportunities.
	My Department provides support designed to meet the different circumstances and needs of a broad range of producers throughout the developing world. These include interventions designed to improve food security as well as to support the delivery of improved rural services. We also provide support to international agencies and works to enhance the impact of interventions made by these institutions. Details of our initiatives can be found in the 2002 Departmental Report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Ethiopia

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) the European Union's and (b) her Department's response has been to the drought and food shortages in Ethiopia.

Clare Short: So far we have made food and non-food humanitarian commitments of some £12.3 million in calendar year 2002. The EC has committed euro 23 million for 97,000 metric tonnes of food aid to cover food needs until the end of 2002. In addition to the food aid provision the EC has approved a euro 4 million programme of humanitarian aid for the victims of drought, which includes providing water and sanitation, supporting health services and providing targeted supplementary and therapeutic feeding. DFID provides funding for nearly 20 per cent. of EC assistance.

Ethiopia

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how (a) the UK Government and (b) the European Union is responding to the most recent appeal from the World Food Programme for food for Ethiopia.

Clare Short: The World Food Programme considers current pledges of food aid to be sufficient to meet needs until mid-January 2003, but they remain concerned about prospects for February and March, when needs are expected to be high. In terms of physical stocks the Ethiopian Food Security Reserve is expected on current estimates to have sufficient food available until April. The European Commission has informed us that they have made available euro 23 million, of which the DFID share is nearly euro 4.6 million, which is equivalent to 97,000 metric tonnes of food aid, to cover food needs until the end of 2002. This total includes euro 5 million, which is equivalent to 13,000 metric tonnes of food aid, to be provided through the World Food Programme. The Commission is also looking at the best ways to provide timely and effective assistance to address the emerging food crisis in 2003.
	We are taking careful note of the WFP and Government of Ethiopia reports and appeals and keeping the situation under continuous review. As always we remain committed to playing our part in the international response to humanitarian need.

HIV/AIDS

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the rate of spread of HIV/AIDS in (a) India, (b) Bangladesh, (c) Thailand and (d) Indonesia.

Clare Short: DFID is working closely with the Governments of both India and Bangladesh to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. India has a significant HIV epidemic, with prevalence in some states at around 2 per cent. The number of people with HIV/AIDS is estimated at 3.9 million. In Bangladesh, although HIV prevalence is less than 1 per cent., even in high risk groups, we recognise as a priority the prevention of its further spread.
	We are currently considering what role there may be for DFID in working on HIV/AIDS in Indonesia, where evidence suggests that prevalence in certain places and in certain groups has risen quickly. Thailand is often held up as one of the world's success stories in combating HIV/AIDS, having reduced the number of new infections from 143,000 in 1991 to 29,000 in 2001. DFID has no bilateral programme there, but we do continue to monitor carefully the status of the epidemic.

Overseas Aid

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to announce the timetable for the UK meeting the UN on 0.7 GNI aid commitment following the announced aid increase to its ODA in the Queen's Speech; and whether aid increase is additional to that announced during the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Clare Short: It was announced at the recent Comprehensive Spending Review that UK ODA/GNI will be 0.4 per cent. in FY 2006–07. Subsequent changes will be decided infuture spending reviews. The UK remains firmly committed to the 0.7 per cent. target.
	The Queen's Speech referred to the increase already announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Plan Puebla Panama

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with (a) her counterparts within the EU and (b) the World bank regarding the Plan Puebla Panama in Mexico.

Clare Short: None.

Sierra Leone

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in improving the judicial system in Sierra Leone.

Clare Short: The Sierra Leone judiciary has been in a state of decline for at least the last 30 years. Its operational independence has been deeply undermined. Low pay is a cause of poor morale and contributes to all round ineffectiveness. Investment in training and infrastructure has been minimal. The perception in Sierra Leone is that it is unresponsive, unaccountable, corrupt and inaccessible. It is neither trusted nor respected.
	Starting from this very low base my Department has been working with the Sierra Leone judiciary to support reform. Assistance to date has concentrated on the restoration of infrastructure, the provision of equipment, court recording systems and procedures and legal drafting.
	We are considering a further programme of assistance that would take an integrated approach to the justice system (police, legal and judicial and penal systems). This will be a joint project with the World Bank. We expect the UN agencies active in Sierra Leone and the Commonwealth Secretariat to take part. We intend the programme to take place over at least five years.

Sierra Leone

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made towards the alleviation of poverty in Sierra Leone.

Clare Short: Sierra Leone agreed an interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) with the international financial institutions in September 2001. It outlines a post-conflict transitional phase focused on restoration of security, re-launching the economy, and provision of basic services to the most vulnerable groups. Longer term programmes for poverty reduction will be contained in a full PRSP that the Government of Sierra Leone intend to prepare by late 2003. Agreement of a full PRSP will be the key step for an agreed agenda between the Government of Sierra Leone and the donor community for poverty reduction.
	Peace was declared in Sierra Leone in January this year. Inevitably, the Government's initial focus has been on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, and measures to assist the millions of internally displaced persons and returning refugees. After 10 years of conflict, Sierra Leone faces a huge task in developing and implementing policies to address poverty reduction and the Millennium Development Goals. There are some encouraging developments, for example, in improving primary school enrolment and immunisation rates, but much remains to be done in a country severely damaged by conflict.
	We are supporting a major programme of support to reform and poverty reduction in Sierra Leone, including direct assistance with the preparation of a full PRSP. Under the Poverty Reduction Framework Arrangement signed with the Government of Sierra Leone this month, we have committed £120 million over the next three years, as part of a 10-year commitment of support. This complements the US$172 million poverty reduction and growth facility agreed by Sierra Leone with the IMF in September 2001, and the US$950 million of debt relief available through the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, both of which will assist Sierra Leone to address recovery and poverty reduction.

Sudan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken since the seminar on education in Sudan on 29 July held by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Since the seminar, my Department has given £316,000 to UNICEF for education in the Nuba Mountains cease-fire area. This is proceeding well: 600 school kits have already been delivered and more are on the way; rehabilitation of school buildings has also started. We are also supporting a range of scholarship programmes particularly targeting women and students from conflict-affected areas. My Senior Education Adviser visited north and south Sudan in October to review this work and to discuss plans to rehabilitate the education system in Sudan. We continue to plan for what we hope will be a comprehensive peace in the New Year.

Sudan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to combat the epidemics of kala azar and guinea worm in southern Sudan.

Clare Short: So far in 2002 we have provided a total of 743,048 to Medecins sans Frontieres for three urgent health care projects in southern Sudan, which include the treatment of people suffering from the recent outbreak of Kala Azar (also known as visceral leishmanaisis).
	We are not presently funding any projects dealing with Guinea Worm in Sudan as this need is being met by other organisations, such as the Carter Centre. However, should the situation worsen, we would consider providing support.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

LPG Stations

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what strategies her Department has adopted to promote the supply of liquefied petroleum gas.

Brian Wilson: This Department is actively working with colleagues in DTLR and HMT, and with the energy and transport industries to promote wider uptake of alternative fuels in particular liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
	At the opening of the 1000th LPG filling station in February this year, I announced LPG Boost, a £1 million DTI funded programme over two years to boost the uptake of LPG, as a vehicle fuel. I recently announced further details of this scheme which will introduce grants for converters and seek to raise awareness of LPG, particularly in four targeted rural areas of the country—Highlands and Islands, Mid and North Wales, Cornwall and East Ayrshire.

University Research (Government Funding)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government funding for investment in university research and development each part of the United Kingdom receives (a) in absolute terms and (b) in proportion to its population

Patricia Hewitt: Government funding for investment in university research and development through the Research Councils and Funding Councils (and, in Northern Ireland, the Department for Education and Learning) in the UK is as follows:
	
		
			  Absolute terms (£ million) Per head of population (£) 
		
		
			 England 1,313 27 
			 Northern Ireland 24 14 
			 Scotland 176 35 
			 Wales 62 21

Animal Experiments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans she has to take (a) legal and (b) other action against British-based companies and their subsidiaries which carry out cosmetic testing on animals outside of the EU where such testing is illegal within the EU.
	(2)  what recent assessment she has made of (a) UK and (b) European legislation in relation to cosmetic testing on animals; and if she will make a statement.
	(3)  what legal advice she has (a) commissioned and (b) received to establish whether an EU ban on the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals would be acceptable under the WTO regime.

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance her Department offers to British companies in respect of the use of animals for cosmetic testing purposes.

Melanie Johnson: holding answers 20 November 2002
	A ban on animal testing finished cosmetic products was introduced in the UK in 1997 and a subsequent ban on animal testing cosmetic of ingredients was introduced in the UK in 1998. These bans are to be made Europe-wide following the recently agreed 7th amendment to the Cosmetics Directive.
	This Amendment will introduce a ban on the testing of finished cosmetic products on animals. It will also introduce a ban on the sale in the EU of cosmetic products or their ingredients which have been tested on animals, once alternative tests are in place. It will also, within 10 years, prohibit the marketing in the EU of cosmetic products which have been tested on animals wherever in the world that testing might have been carried out.

BAE Systems Contract

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what inquiries were made of ECGD by the Jersey authorities regarding the contract which it backed between BAE Systems and the Government of Qatar in 1996.

Patricia Hewitt: ECGD discussed this matter with the Serious Fraud Office which was giving assistance to the Jersey authorities. The nature of this assistance is a matter for the SFO

Corruption

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures ECGD operates for investigating allegations of corruption made regarding projects it has covered.

Patricia Hewitt: Where there are allegations or suspicions of corrupt practice, ECGD will carry out initial inquiries to seek further information. But ECGD has no investigatory powers and thus passes any substantive information it receives when relevant to the appropriate authorities, for example the police or the serious fraud office.

ECGD Staff

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff from ECGD have gone on to work for companies which have received ECGD support; which companies they went to work for in the last 10 years; and what precautions ECGD takes to prevent conflict of interest.

Patricia Hewitt: Since November 1992 13 civil servants have left ECGD to work for companies which have received support from the Department. In all cases to ensure there was no cause for any suspicion of impropriety, they sought and obtained the required prior approval under the Civil Service rules governing the acceptance of outside business appointments and where appropriate were approved subject to conditions. The details are as follows:
	
		
			 Date left Company 
		
		
			 January 1993 GEC Alsthom Ltd. 
			 June 1994 ANZ Grindlays Bank 
			 June 1994 Trafalgar House Construction 
			 February 1995 Bank of America 
			 December 1995 British Aerospace 
			 September 1997 Royal Bank of Scotland 
			 December 1997 Barclays Bank plc 
			 July 1999 Natwest 
			 March 2000 Halifax Bank PLC 
			 September 1999 Motherwell Bridge Holdings Ltd. 
			 July 2001 Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi 
			 June 2001 Barclays Bank plc 
			 October 2001 Royal Bank of Scotland

ECGD Staff

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff have been seconded from the private sector to ECGD and from which companies they have been seconded in the last 10 years.

Patricia Hewitt: Four people have been seconded to ECGD from the private sector in the last 10 years and details are as follows:
	An Economist from Barclays Bank plc between October 1989 and January 1993;
	British Aerospace for 15 working days over the period June to September 1993;
	HSBC between January 1996 and December 1997; and
	Nat West Bank between July 1997 and February 1999.

Fireworks Sales

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps (a) to ban over-the-counter sale of fireworks, (b) to introduce a local licensing system for applications to use fireworks for party and community events and (c) to regulate the sale of fireworks through order-only companies; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Government do not believe the case has been made for banning the sale of fireworks to the public. Primary legislation would be required to do this as well as regulating the sale and use of fireworks. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 only allows the making of regulations to control the safety of fireworks as a product.
	Also, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 October 2002, Official Report, columns 889–90, announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.

Insolvency Service

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Insolvency Service about this year's pay negotiations; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 21 November 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 November 2002, Official Report, column 722W.

Israel

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the export licences which have been approved for arms sales to Israel in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: Details of all export licences issued between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 2001 are published by destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Annual Reports are available from the Libraries of the House.
	Between 1 January 2002 and 7 November 2002, 64 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and four Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued, for items on the Military List, where the end users were in Israel. Individual export licences might cover a range of items with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the totals for all of the relevant ratings. Details are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Rating Number of SIELs issued Number of OIELs issued 
		
		
			 ML3 1 — 
			 ML4 9 — 
			 ML5 13 — 
			 ML6 2 — 
			 ML7 1 — 
			 ML9 6 — 
			 ML10 12 — 
			 ML11 5 2 
			 ML14 2 — 
			 ML15 3 — 
			 ML16 2 — 
			 ML18 1 — 
			 ML21 3 — 
			 ML22 1 — 
			 PL5017 2 — 
			 PL5021 1 — 
			 PL5031 4 2 
		
	
	In addition, items on the Military List might have been exported under certain Open General Export Licences. Copies of all Open General Export Licences are placed in the Libraries of the House.

Newsagents

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the National Federation of Newsagents; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 21 November 2002
	My right hon. Friend and I have not had any recent discussions with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents.
	The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is currently reviewing the 1994 Code of Practice on the supply of national newspapers, introduced following the 1993 monopoly report on newspaper distribution in England and Wales, and is expected to report by the end of the year.

Parliamentary Question

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her holding answer of 19 November 2002, Ref: 81866, if she will explain the meaning and purpose of the words XRound Robin-guidance Expected", added to the question.

Patricia Hewitt: The wording was provided for drafting officials. Because of an administrative error, it was not removed from the text of the holding reply, for which I apologise.

Plan Puebla Panama

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if export credit guarantees have been granted to companies wishing to take part in the Plan Puebla Panama in Mexico.

Patricia Hewitt: No export credit guarantees have been granted for the Plan Puebla Panama.

Plan Puebla Panama

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the UK companies who have expressed an interest in taking part in the Plan Puebla Panama in Mexico.

Patricia Hewitt: Though some UK companies will be aware of Plan Puebla Panama because information is publicly available, we do not know of any who have registered interest in it. The Plan is still being developed in Mexico with the details of specific projects and financing yet to be finalised.

Post Office Card Accounts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the take-up rate of the post card account needed to ensure the financial viability of the urban sub post office network once the Urban Reinvention Programme has been completed.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 21 November 2002
	Urban reinvention is a modernisation and restructuring programme designed to ensure that urban sub post offices can operate as viable businesses for their owners and offer improved services from the right locations to serve their communities.
	As identified in the PIU report on the future of the network, the future viability of the restructured urban network will depend on the ability of the business to maximise commercial opportunities, improve efficiency and improve the quality of individual offices. It is anticipated that banking services will make a major contribution towards ensuring a viable future for many urban post offices.
	Universal banking services (both the card account and the banks own basic bank accounts), together with the Post Office's plans for an expansion of network banking (commercial arrangements between the Post Office and individual banks providing access to standard bank accounts over post office counters), should lead to a substantial increase in the number of people using post offices to do banking transactions. Wider access to bank accounts at post offices opens up a very much larger market than benefit recipients alone, and this should benefit sub-postmasters both directly and through increased footfall.

Post Office Card Accounts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what commitments have been made to banks concerning the number of (a) basic bank account and (b) post office card accounts that will be opened.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 21 November 2002
	No commitments have been made to banks concerning the numbers of Post Office card accounts or basic bank accounts that will be opened.

Post Office Card Accounts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there is an upper limit for the number of post card accounts that can be opened.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 21 November 2002
	The aim of the benefit payment migration to ACT and marketing strategy will be to ensure that each customer has the best account for his or her circumstances. There are no eligibility criteria and no cap on numbers for the card account at the Post Office. Customers will choose the account they want.

Post Offices

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Post Offices and (b) sub-Post Offices there were in Dundee East and Dundee West in (i) 1972, (ii) 1975, (iii) 1980, (iv) 1985, (v) 1990, (vi) 1995 and (vii) 2000.

Stephen Timms: I am informed by Post Office Limited that historic data in the form requested is not available as the company does not require this data for operational reasons.
	However, in 1999, the Post Office undertook a special exercise to determine the number of post offices in each parliamentary constituency in response to the then hon Member for Birmingham Erdington (Mr. Robin Corbett) on 29 November 1999 (Official Report, column 22W). I further understand from Post Office Limited that it compiled a list of post offices by parliamentary constituency as of 20 April 2002 showing their classification as urban or rural offices. A copy of this list is held in the Library of the House.

Rural Post Offices

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the funding for the rural post office network, announced by the Royal Mail Chairman on 13 November.

Stephen Timms: Following my announcement in the House on 13 June, agreement has been reached in principle on the overall financing package for the Royal Mail. I will shortly be announcing details of the assistance to be made available to the rural post office network, which will be subject to state aids clearance.

Sub-Post Offices

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  whether a full-time sub-post office can increase its hours of business for each working day and cease to be regarded as fulfilling its commitment to core hours;
	(2)  how many sub-post offices in (a) Dumfries and Galloway, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK are open for less than full-time hours;
	(3)  what plans she has to review the system of core hours for the sub-post office network; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day to day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council Funding

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Arts Council on the funding of sexually explicit material.

Kim Howells: None.

BBC News 24 Report

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the BBC News 24 report will be placed in the Library.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering her response to Richard Lambert's review of BBC News 24 and will place the review in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as possible.

Community Radio Station Licences

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under what circumstances deposits required for applications for community radio station licences will be returnable; what levels of deposit are required for individuals applying for licences for community radio stations; and what assessment she has made of the types of organisations and individuals who are likely to apply for licences to run new community radio stations.

Kim Howells: The Radio Authority are currently undertaking a pilot study of a number of access radio stations. The purpose of the study is to establish whether access radio is viable and how it might be licensed, regulated, funded, promoted and organised. The completed evaluation is expected to be published next spring. No charge is made for licensing the pilot experiment access radio stations.
	Clause 254 of the Communications Bill would allow the Secretary of State, by Order, to modify the legislation regulating radio services to make special provision for access radio. Any such Order could make provision about the application arrangements.
	No assessment has been undertaken about the types of organisations that might apply, but I would expect there to be a broad range of applicants.

Elgin Marbles

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on the future of the Elgin Marbles.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Andrew Dismore) on 20 November 2002, Official Report, column 172W.

Library Investment

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the amount spent by each local authority per head of population on library services in 2002.

Kim Howells: This information is contained within column 20 (population per service point) of the CIPFA Public Library Statistics, copies of which are lodged in the House of Commons Library. The latest actual figures available are for 2000–01. Estimates are available for 2001–02.

Library Investment

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average annual investment in new book stock in libraries was for each shire authority in England in the last 12 months.

Kim Howells: This information can be obtained from column 163 (total material acquisitions) of the CIPFA Public Library Statistics, copies of which are lodged in the House of Commons Library. The latest actual figures available are for 2000–01. Estimates are available for 2001–02.

Library Staffing

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people there were per static library in each shire authority in England in 2002.

Kim Howells: This information is contained within column 180 (net expenditure per 1,000 population, excluding capital charges) of the CIPFA Public Library Statistics, copies of which are lodged in the House of Commons Library. The latest actual figures available are for 2000–01. Estimates are available for 2001–02.

National Arts Council of England

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) median, (b) youngest and (c) oldest age of the National Arts Council of England members are; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			 National Arts Council of England Members Years old 
		
		
			 Median age 54 
			 Youngest age 38 
			 Oldest age 71

Policing Costs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress with the review of policing costs incurred through stadium events, major sporting events and late night city centre entertainment.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply.
	We have set up a working group, comprising representatives of the Home Office, Department of Culture Media and Sport, the Association of Chief police officers (ACPO) and the football authorities, to consider a range of strategic policing football issues, including police charging policy in connection with matches, and the investment of football clubs in the wider community. Supporter groups and other interested parties will be consulted. The group will commence its deliberations shortly.
	The Government is also concerned at the costs incurred in policing entertainment venues, particularly pubs and clubs which operate late into the night and major events such as sporting and outdoor entertainment. We welcome schedules where entertainment outlets contribute to the additional policing costs associated with alcohol-related disturbance.

Radiocommunications Agency

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the recommendations made by the Radiocommunications Agency, in their report, 'Introducing recognised spectrum access'.

Kim Howells: General provisions for recognised spectrum access are included in the Communications Bill. The Government is currently considering responses to the consultation document, 'Introducing recognised spectrum access', about the implementation of this system and there will be further opportunity for interested parties to comment on detailed proposals for specific frequency bands in due course.

Regional Arts Council Members

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) median age, (b) youngest age and (c) oldest age is of the Regional Arts Council members; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Regional Arts Council members ages are as follows:
	
		
			  Years old 
		
		
			 Median age 50 
			 Youngest age 29 
			 Oldest age 73

Regional Museums

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions and representations she has received from regional museums (a) individually and (b) collectively, regarding (i) free admission, (ii) funding by her Department, (iii) funding from other sources and (iv) other issues.

Kim Howells: My Department received a number of representations from Resource (The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries), national and regional museums and museums' bodies. These were taken into account prior to our announcement of £70 million funding for regional museums from this year to 2005–06.

Restrictive Service Licence (Taunton)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received about the Restrictive Service Licence for Television in Taunton.

Kim Howells: I have received no representations. The licensing and regulation of Restricted Service Licences is a matter for the Independent Television Commission.

Sporting Engagements

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sporting engagements she has attended by category in her official capacity since 7th June 2001.

Tessa Jowell: I have attended:
	Commonwealth Games
	5 July 2001 City of Manchester Stadium Topping Out Ceremony
	4 December 2001 Spirit of Friendship Festival
	5 December 2001 Commonwealth Games Reception
	12 February 2002 Visit to Sportcity Manchester
	25 July 2002 Commonwealth Games—opening ceremony
	30 July 2002 Commonwealth Games—various events
	4 August 2002 Commonwealth Games—closing ceremony
	Athletics
	31 January 2002 Athletics forum
	Olympics
	27 October 2002 Olympic sites in Barcelona
	5 November 2002 Olympic sites in Beijing
	Football
	14 August 2001 BTA/Premier League Partnership launch at Leeds United's Training Ground.
	15 August 2001 Speech at the Club and Talent Development Forum at Bisham Abbey
	National Sports Centre
	12 December 2001 Groundbreaking ceremony at Bharat Football Club, Leicester
	31 January 2001 Launch of Playing for Success initiative at Arsenal FC.
	21 April 2002 Norwich City v Stockport County at Carrow Road
	12 September 2002 Supporters Direct Annual Conference
	29 September 2002 Visit to National Football Museum
	School Sport
	19 November 2001 Launch for New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme in Newham
	2 October 2002 Launch Schools Sport Programme Collegiate High School Blackpool
	27 June 2002 Launch of Sport England Toolkit for Primary Schools
	28 June 2002 Launch of Space for Sport and Arts Grafton Primary School
	Cricket
	10 December 2001 Launch of the 'Karrot1 youth project at The Oval, Kennington July 2002 England v India at Lords
	Horse Racing
	14 March 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup
	20 June 2002 Royal Ascot Ladies Day
	Rugby
	3 March 2002 Six Nations England vs Scotland at Twickenham
	8 May 2002 England Women's Rugby Football Union Team Reception
	Golf
	28 September 2002 Ryder Cup
	General
	25 March 2002 Opening of Holmes Place Fulham Pools (public/private partnership) 17 May 2002 Blaneu Gwent sport Personality of the Year Awards Ceremony.

Television Reception (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on television reception in rural Lancashire, with particular reference to the villages of Whalley, Billington and Langho.

Kim Howells: I understand from the Independent Television Commission (ITC) that terrestrial analogue television services are broadcast across Lancashire from the Winter Hill main transmitter and around twenty relay stations. The ITC advise that a relay station was built in 1975 specifically to provide analogue television coverage to Whalley, Billington and Langho, although a small area of South Whalley remains unserved. Digital terrestrial television (DTT) services are provided from the Winter Hill, Lancaster and Pendle Forest transmitters. Details on DTT availability can be found on the Freeview website at: www.freeview.co.uk. Television services may also be accessed via digital satellite.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Coffee Imports

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made to implement the International Coffee Organisation quality scheme of coffee imports.

Elliot Morley: The International Coffee Organisation's (ICO) Quality Improvement programme was approved by ICO Council Resolution 416 on 1 February 2002. The programme commenced on 1 October 2002. It applies to ICO members and requires that exports of coffee, accompanied by Certificates of Origin, shall comply with minimum standards specified in the Resolution. Exporting members are also required to develop and implement national measures to ensure that no exports of green coffee fail to meet the exportable standards. Discussions are currently on-going about how the exports of processed coffee should be dealt with.Exporting members are currently in the process of implementing the Council's Resolution within their countries. Members will report to the ICO Council on the measures they have taken to do so and of any difficulties encountered. This will feed into an ICO review of the programme planned for September 2003.

Coffee Imports

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to remove lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks.

Elliot Morley: The international coffee organisation is looking at how importing member countries can become more directly involved in implementing its quality improvement programme. The organisation has not proposed the removal of the lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks and has no action in train to do so.

Coffee Imports

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the US Government regarding membership of the International Coffee Organisation.

Elliot Morley: The UK supports the proposal for the USA to join the new International Coffee Agreement 2001. We believe this is necessary for the ICO to be fully effective. As members of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) the UK supported ICO Council Resolution 413, approved on 27 September 2002, inviting the USA to join.

"Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For" Campaign

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the circumstances are that prevent Mr. Howlett of Dartmouth from qualifying for the suckler cow premium.

Alun Michael: The only apparent circumstance which may prevent Mr. Howlett from receiving Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS) payments is the availability of SCPS quota for the 2002 Scheme year. A producer who does not hold SCPS quota may acquire quota for his 2002 SCPS claim by transfer or lease during the 2002 trading period. This opened in June and will close on 6 December 2002.

Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual administration costs are of (a) the Environment Agency and (b) the Food Safety Agency.

Michael Meacher: (a) The Environment Agency is subject to a control limit on its total administration costs. For the current financial year (2002–03), the control limit is £113 million.
	(b) The Food Standards Agency reports to Parliament through Department of Health Ministers

Animal Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the law in respect of the powers available to enforcement agencies responsible for port control on the import of animal and vegetable products.

Margaret Beckett: The powers for enforcement officers to search baggage were extended in May 2002.
	We are now reviewing powers further in the light of my announcement on 6 November, that responsibility for detecting illegal imports of animals, fish, plants and the products, and foodstuffs (including meat) would be transferred to Her Majesty's customs and excise as soon as practicable.

Arable Crops

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to encourage the establishment of new markets for non-food uses of arable crops.

Michael Meacher: The Government are considering its response to the first report from the Government-Industry Forum on Non-Food Uses of Crops which identifies opportunities for non-food uses of arable crops. Defra and DTI are consulting stakeholders on establishing a new centre which will bring together industry, academia and the research community to drive forward the commercial development of non-food uses of crops. Defra and DTI are also considering a joint initiative to provide grant support to promote technology transfer through demonstration projects. A cut in the duty rate for biodiesel came into effect in July this year to encourage the biofuel market.

British Cattle Movement Service

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the accuracy of the British Cattle Movement Service database.

Margaret Beckett: The accuracy of the Cattle Tracing Scheme database, which is kept by the British Cattle Movement Service, depends on the accuracy of the data supplied to it by cattle keepers. Currently, around one in five birth registrations and more than one in five movement notifications have some sort of error or anomaly within them.

British Cattle Movement Service

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many representations have been received regarding the loss of cattle passport tear-off slips by the Cattle Movement Service; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Some 22,000 representations have been made to the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) since May this year about notifications which were alleged to have been sent to the BCMS but have not been received there and entered on the cattle tracing system (CTS) database.
	In addition the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has received an estimated 45,000 representations (telephone calls, e-mails and letters) about bovine scheme and CTS database issues.
	Regulations governing the payment of bovine subsidies require that payments should be withheld and penalties applied where the claimants have not fulfilled their legal obligations to make appropriate notifications to the BCMS.

Butterflies

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated population was of each species of butterfly in (a) 1991 and (b) 2001.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 20 November 2002
	Information in the form requested is not currently available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, administered by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, provides data on changes in the abundance of butterflies at selected sites throughout the United Kingdom. Information on the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme can be found at http://bms.ceh.ac.uk/.
	Data from the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme formed part of the basis for XThe Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland" published in 2001 by the Oxford United Press. Produced by Butterfly Conservation, the national Biological Recording Centre and the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, the Atlas contains detailed accounts of the resident or regularly migrant butterfly species in Britain and Ireland, including information on their distribution and trends. A report XThe State of Britain's Butterflies", which draws out the key results and conclusions from the Millennium Atlas is available on the Butterfly Conservation website http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/.

CAP Subsidies

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average payment per hectare from the Common Agricultural Policy's production subsidies is for (a) organic and (b) non-organic farmers in the UK.

Michael Meacher: Organic farmers are eligible for support from the CAP on the same basis as conventional farmers. This means that organic producers in England receive the same rates of payment as conventional producers. Producers converting to organic farming are also eligible for support under the Organic Farming Scheme. The payment rates for England, other rates apply in other parts of the UK, can be found on the Department's website at http://defraweb/farm/schemes/aap—new.htm (arable crops), http://defraweb/farm/schemes/livstck.htm (cattle and sheep), http://defraweb/erdp/schemes/landbased/ofs/ofsindex.htm£aid (organic conversion).

Climate Change Policy

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how often she has met the head of the agricultural departments of retail banks in the last 12 months; and how often her predecessor met the head of the agricultual departments of the retail banks.

Margaret Beckett: I met the heads of the agricultural departments of the retail banks in November 2001. I do not have information on when my predecessor met them.

Climate Change Policy

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she issues to Government Departments to ensure that their purchasing decisions do not contravene the Government's Climate Change Policy.

Michael Meacher: Guidance issued to procurement officials on minimising the purchase of substances with a high global warming potential includes:
	(i) XTowards More Sustainable Construction: Green Guide for Managers on the Government Estate" (published April 1999). URL: development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/partg/suscon/index.htm.
	(ii) The XGreen Guide for Buyers" (revised February 2001) URL: development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/partf/greenbuy/index.htm.
	(iii) XGreen Public Private Partnerships", July 2002. A copy of this publication is on ODPM's web site. URL: www.odpm.qov.uk/about/ppp/greenppp/index.htm.

CO2 Emissions

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce CO2 emissions; and what targets she has set in this regard.

Michael Meacher: The Government has set itself a domestic goal to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. This is in addition to the UK's target under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012.
	In November 2000, the Government published the UK climate change programme, which sets out a range of integrated policies and measures to reduce emissions in six broad sectors: the energy supply industry; business; transport; the residential sector, agriculture, forestry and land use; and, the public sector. Key policies in the programme include: the target under the Renewables Obligation that 10 per cent. of licensed electricity supplies will be generated from renewable sources by 2010; climate change levy and climate change agreements; the worlds first economy-wide emissions trading scheme; the voluntary agreements between the European Commission and the European, Japanese and Korean car manufacturers to reduce average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars, supported by changes to vehicle excise duty and company car taxation; and the Energy Efficiency Commitment on energy suppliers to encourage consumers to take up energy saving opportunities.
	We estimate that the quantified policies in the programme could help reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 19 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. Carbon savings, which have not been quantified, from additional policies could help us achieve our domestic goal.

Composting

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps her Department plans to take to encourage and enable local authorities to (a) promote composting and (b) provide low cost compost bins;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to implement new composting initiatives.

Michael Meacher: The Government has set local authorities a target to recycle or compost at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. This national target has been underpinned by local authority specific statutory performance standards. These standards set levels of recycling and composting that all waste authorities must achieve by 2003–04 and 2005–06. £140 million was provided by the Government under its Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund to help local authorities achieve these targets. The Strategy Unit Report on Sustainable Waste Management, due to be published shortly, will also be considering recycling and composting targets and the help required to meet them.
	The Department commissioned a risk assessment that looked at the animal and public health risks posed by the composting/biogas treatment of catering waste and spreading it on land. This work concluded that, provided satisfactory controls are in place, composting/biogas treatment can be done safely.
	We are therefore developing processes that will allow catering waste to be composted safely, based on the results of the risk assessment (without the risk assessment, we would be obliged to follow the EU standard, which would be more restrictive). The aim is to get a draft SI out for public consultation by end November, and to amend the legislation early in the new year. The overall objective is to develop a set of rules that will allow composting of catering waste to take place economically while fully protecting animal and public health.

Crop Spraying

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce new requirements for the training of people employed to spray crops.

Margaret Beckett: I have no plans at present to introduce any new requirements. However, my officials are working closely with the National Proficiency Test Council to improve operator training and certification. This is an activity contributing to the industry-led voluntary initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of pesticides.

Diversification

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many funding schemes are available through her Department for farmers who wish to adopt environmentally friendly farming practices; and how much is available per scheme.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 20 November 2002
	The three main agri-environment schemes run by this Department are the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme. Their budgets in the current financial year are £48 million, £66 million and £20 million respectively. In addition, organisations such as English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the National Park Authorities which receive funding from this Department also operate some schemes.

Elephant Products

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is in respect of the trade in elephant products where these can be authenticated as having come from properly managed stock.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 20 November 2002
	Where there are clear safeguards, the Government would in principle support a limited trade in ivory that is authenticated as being derived from a properly managed source, i.e. where the elephants are managed in a sustainable manner that is not detrimental to the conservation of the species. However, we could only agree to such trade if we were satisfied that the intended market for this ivory was itself properly managed in accordance with the principles set out under the appropriate CITES Conference Resolution, and would not provide a cover for trade in illegally acquired ivory. We do not believe that the conditions to permit this are yet in place.

Environment Agency Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget is of the Environment Agency for 2002–03 for cars and car travel by hon. Members and staff of the agency.

Michael Meacher: The Environment Agency's budget for car provision and car mileage in 2002–03 is as follows:
	
		
			 Agency's budget £ million 
		
		
			 Lease car costs 12.9 
			 Less employees contribution 2.9 
			 Net cost 10.0 
			   
			 Lease car mileage costs 2.5 
			 Casual and essential mileage costs 4.2 
			 Members mileage costs 0.2 
			 Total 16.9

Fallen Stock

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she intends to publish details of the National Collection Scheme for fallen stock;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of how many fallen (a) cattle, (b) sheep and (c) pigs were disposed of last year by hunt kennels.

Margaret Beckett: Since April 2002, officials have been holding discussions with livestock and disposal industry stakeholders with the aim of developing a national fallen stock disposal scheme. However, it is for the industries concerned to work out how best to deal with their waste problems and to publish details of their proposal.
	We do not have figures for the amount of fallen stock that hunt kennels have collected in the last year.

Fertilisers

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions are placed on the use of home-made fertilisers by individuals in their own gardens; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Fertilisers Regulations 1991 (UK Statutory Instrument 1991/2197) apply only to fertilisers that are marketed.
	The Animal By-Products Order 1999 (as amended) prevents the use on land of catering waste which may contain meat. This effectively bans the use of catering waste in commercial composting enterprises. The aim was to prevent livestock and poultry from having access to material which might introduce or spread animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease. It was not intended to prevent householders composting kitchen scraps for their own gardens. A proposed amendment to the Order to permit the composting of catering waste in approved premises will exempt domestic householders provided that they do not keep pigs or ruminants on the premises.
	Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act requires a person who deposits, recovers or disposes of waste (including compost) to obtain a waste management licence or to register an exemption from licensing. Current general guidance is that composting facilities should be at least 250 metres from residential areas. However householders who compost their own garden waste are not required to have a licence or a permit under waste management or pollution control legislation.

Foot and Mouth (Contingency Planning)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the foot and mouth contingency planning exercises in (a) Preston, (b) Carlisle, (c) Taunton and (d) Leeds in November.

Elliot Morley: These exercises are a part of the ongoing process of maintaining the readiness of the Department to deal with an outbreak of disease. Feedback from exercises and from investigations of suspected cases of disease is used to inform the further development of instructions and contingency plans. The lessons learned will be used as a foundation for future exercises.

IACS

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with which internet service providers her Department's system for online IACS registration is compatible.

Margaret Beckett: The Department's facility for the electronic submission of claims under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) is managed by the Rural Payments Agency, and is a legacy system taken on by the Agency. This system requires an internet-enabled PC, and works with a range of internet browser options, but the choice of internet service provider used is for claimants to decide.
	RPA has a major IT Change Programme, which is planned to come on stream in 2004. This programme will include electronic submission of a wide range of scheme claim forms, and integration with the RPA back-office processing systems.

Meat Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many spot checks have been carried out on illegal meat imports at each designated port of entry into the United Kingdom since 31 March.

Margaret Beckett: Details of spot checks carried out for illegal meat imports are not collected centrally. It should be noted that during the course of checks for other illegal products (such as drugs), illegal meat imports may also be found and reported.
	We do hold information on reported seizures. Since 31 March 2002, there have been 970 seizures of illegal animal product imports reported to the centralised Illegal Animal Products Seizures database.
	It should also be noted that the checks required at each designated port of entry vary depending on whether trade and passengers come from within the EU or from third countries.

Meat Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of warning signs against meat imports at each designated port of entry into the United Kingdom.

Margaret Beckett: We continue to learn lessons about how to improve the impact of our message at ports and airports where there is strong competition for the attention of travellers. Defra is promoting a joint initiative with other Government Departments to review how the impact of the Government's message can be improved at ports and airports.
	Posters are one element of the Government's work to raise public awareness of the rules for importing meat into the country.
	The information displayed at ports of entry into the United Kingdom varies depending on whether trade and passengers come from within the European Union or from third countries. The Department has concentrated its efforts on increasing awareness of the rules for meat imports at ports of entry for passengers from outside the European Union.
	Penalty posters and information leaflets are currently being redesigned to reflect the new EU rules on personal imports of meat and dairy products from outside the EU that will come into effect in January 2003.

Meat Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions for the illegal import of (i) meat and (ii) meat products have been initiated since 31 March.

Margaret Beckett: Responsibility for prosecutions under the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations lies with local authorities, and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, with HM Customs.
	We are aware of one successful prosecution brought by Crawley Borough Council in July, and six cautions issued by the London Port Health Authority in October. All were brought under the Products of Animal Origin regulations.
	Defra is working with local authorities and with the Magistrates Association to raise awareness of the wider consequences of this offence and to encourage more prosecutions and the imposition of higher penalties.

National Parks (Housing)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to amend legislation to enable National Park authorities to restrict entitlement to own domestic dwellings in their area; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: None.

Organic Waste

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has collated on which EU member states exclude kitchen waste from the composting of municipal organic waste; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Department has no specific information on the practices followed by other member states in relation to the composting of kitchen waste, although visits have been made to look at composting operations in Italy and the Netherlands. However, the new EU Animal By-products Regulation (expected to come into force in 2003) permits the use in composting/biogas operations of catering waste containing meat and low-risk animal by-products. For plants processing only catering waste, the Regulation allows national standards to be set, provided they guarantee an equivalent effect in pathogen reduction to the treatment standard in the Regulation (70°C for one hour in a closed system).
	The Department commissioned a risk assessment that looked at the animal and public health risks posed by the composting/biogas treatment of catering waste and spreading it on land. This work concluded that, provided satisfactory controls are in place, composting/biogas treatment can be done safely.
	We are therefore developing processes that will allow catering waste to be composted safely, based on the results of the risk assessment (without the risk assessment, we would be obliged to follow the EU standard, which would be more restrictive and, possibly, counter-productive). The aim is to get a draft statutory instrument out for public consultation by the end of November, and to amend the legislation early in the new year. The overall objective is to develop a set of rules that will allow composting of catering waste to take place economically, while fully protecting animal and public health.

Planning Applications

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions this year the Environment Agency has submitted formal objections to planning applications.

Michael Meacher: The Agency has submitted 6,002 formal objections to planning applications this year.

Rights of Way

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of financial support allocated to local authorities for rights of way duties, excluding Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000 responsibilities, was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03, broken down by local authority.

Alun Michael: Funding for rights of way is included in the unhypothecated environmental protective and cultural services block. That is the means by which such support is provided to local authorities and is the procedure favoured by the Local Government Association. This block also includes services such as waste, libraries and museums.

Rural Payment Schemes

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what delays there have been in paying applicants under the rural payment schemes; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The current position with paying applicants under rural payment schemes is as follows:
	Arable Area Payments Scheme 2002
	The payment window opened on 16 November 2002 and closes on 31 January 2003. Over 40 per cent. of payments for over £700m have already been dispatched to producers, and the expectation is that most producers should receive their payments significantly before the deadline.
	Bovine Schemes
	Under European Community legislation the Rural Payments Agency is obliged to cross-check all animals claimed under the various bovine subsidy schemes against the British Cattle Movement Service Cattle Tracing System (CTS).
	Cross-checks must be carried out to verify that all scheme rules are met and to ensure payments are only made on those animals that are correctly identified in accordance with the council regulations governing cattle identification.
	When the cross-check of data was carried out a large number of discrepancies was identified between the information submitted on claim forms and that recorded on the CTS. The sheer scale of these discrepancies and the time taken to resolve them has resulted in around 19 per cent of unpenalised claims being paid after the statutory deadline of 30 June.
	Producers who have experienced delays in receiving their 2001 scheme year bovine balance payments beyond 30 June as a result of a failure by the Agency or the British Cattle Movement Service will be compensated. The Agency is still finalising how the arrangement will be implemented. However, compensation will not be paid in any other circumstances. This would include for example, payment delayed because the Cattle Tracing System database had not been notified of changes prior to cross-checks being undertaken.
	The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
	The payment window for the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme opened on 16 October 2002 and closes on 31 March 2003. 97per cent of the premium and national envelope top up payments were issued in the first few days of the opening of the payment window. In addition, 8,044 producers (95per cent. of those qualifying for the less favoured area supplement) have now received the supplementary payment amounting to £13 million.
	England Rural Development Programme
	The majority of ERDP scheme claims are currently being paid within published targets.

Rural Payments Agency

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been allocated by the Rural Payments Agency to Lancashire farmers in each of the last three years.

Alun Michael: The amount paid to Lancashire farmers in the three years 1999 to 2001 detailed by scheme is as follows:
	
		
			 Scheme 1999 (£) 2000(£) 2001(£) 
		
		
			 Arable area payment scheme (2),(3)5,166,282.081 (2),(3)4,219,183.53 (2)4,078,743.37 
			 Sheep annual premium scheme (3)6,212,782.54 (3)4,572,845.27 (3)2,766,345.84 
			 Beef special premium scheme 3,783,700.41 3,356,220.48 3,294,163.28 
			 Extensification payment scheme Scheme commenced 2000 (3)1,245,908.10 (2),(3)1,142,670.00 
			 Slaughter premium scheme Scheme commenced 2000 (2)851,843.59 (2)1,095,057.88 
			 Suckler cow premium scheme (2),(3)2,046,856.13 (2),(3)1,573,154.87 (2),(3)1,464,574.29 
			 Hill farming allowance HFA applications are made in one year and paid in the spring of the following year. Therefore the figure for 2001 is for applications made in 2000 2,495,519 
			 Hill livestock compensatory allowance (3)8,866.86 (3)24,581.05  
		
	
	(2) Figures after modulation
	(3) Figures include agrimonetary compensation

Sheep Exports

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on 11 November 2002; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (a) during inspection for health certification purposes and (b) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what was the address of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments;
	(2)  how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on (a) 1 November, (b) 2 November, (c) 5 November, (d) 6 November and (e) 10 November; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks; and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.
	(3)  how many live sheep were exported from Dover on (a) the Caroline and (b) the Omega Livestock to continental Europe on 7 November; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks; and to where those sheep were taken; and what address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Date Total animals Where consignments were certified Animals rejected at certification Animals rejected at Dover docks Destination 
		
		
			 1 November 2,291 England and Wales 29 0 Italy and France 
			 2 November 2,129 England and Wales 34 0 France 
			 5 November 2,298 Wales 32 0 France 
			 6 November 2,910 England, Scotland and Wales 17 0 France 
			 7 November (4)2,531 England and Wales 35 2 France 
			 7 November (5)867 Wales 9 0 Germany 
			 10 November 2,514 England and Wales 40 0 France 
			 10 November 49 England 0 1 Belgium 
			 11 November 2,279 Wales 36 0 France 
		
	
	(4)1,834 on the Caroline and 697 on the Omega Express
	(5)459 on the Caroline and 408 on the Omega Express
	The sheep for the consignments listed above were certified within 48 hours prior to export. These consignments went to approved slaughterhouses apart from the sailing on 6 November which were fattening animals transported to holdings. The animals which were rejected at certification and Dover docks remained in Great Britain.

Sniffer Dogs

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the pilot scheme for sniffer dogs at Heathrow will (a) start and (b) finish.

Margaret Beckett: A pilot using two detector dogs to trace products of animal origin began at Heathrow on 16 September 2002 and will last for six months.

Social Exclusion Projects

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by her Department and agencies on social exclusion projects in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 to date; and if she will break down the spending by (i) category and (ii) region in each year.

Alun Michael: This Department is not directly responsible for spending on social exclusion. However, various programmes administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies make a significant contribution.
	The Market Town Initiative is being taken forward on Defra's behalf by the regional development agencies, working with the Countryside Agency and local partners, and using £37 million of Government funding announced in the Rural White Paper in November 2000 plus such match funding as can be secured from other public and private sources. Expenditure on the initiative in 2001–02 is estimated at some £2.9 million by the regional development agencies and some £2.5 million by the Countryside Agency. Information for the current financial year is not yet available but as most towns have now completed their action plans this should result in a substantial increase in project expenditure by rural development agencies and other partners.
	The following table shows amounts (in £) spent on vital villages projects which address social exclusion. The Countryside Agency does not have a Xsocial exclusion" label for its projects. The table picks up projects which target groups which can be social excluded (youth, unemployed, ethnic minorities, elderly).
	
		£Location2000–012001–02(6)2002–03
		
			 Parish transport grant 
			 North east 0 12,044.21 13,552.50 
			 North west 0 7,882.50 7,687.50 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0 8,447.50 40,125.00 
			 East Midlands 0 10,048.55 12,128.22 
			 West Midlands 0 34,359.89 27,234.06 
			 East of England 0 15,172.81 72,295.00 
			 South east 0 16,722.13 5,172.50 
			 South west 0 10,384.78 59,009.28 
			 Unknown 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 115,062.40 237,204.10 
			 
			 Parish plans grant 
			 North east 0 18,359.55 17,144.75 
			 North west 0 35,056.92 40,268.72 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0 41,709.05 10,428.00 
			 East Midlands 0 15,154.00 22,723.02 
			 West Midlands 0 73,521.56 63,282.48 
			 East of England 0 67,779.66 53,367.56 
			 South east 0 68,400.00 33,435.37 
			 South west 0 72,331.10 63,803.98 
			 Unknown 0 0 4,500.00 
			 Total 0 392,313.30 308,953.90 
			 
			 Community service grants 
			 North east 0 141,495.00 167,714.90 
			 North west 0 174,842.40 138,371.70 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0 126,605.40 71,385.59 
			 East Midlands 0 278,272.20 55,686.99 
			 West Midlands 0 269,418.70 169,568.70 
			 East of England 0 460,042.40 338,675.80 
			 South east 0 238,094.80 160,791.60 
			 South west 2,990.90 360,381.50 315,091.10 
			 Unknown 0 0 6,448.69 
			 Total 2990.90 392,313.30 1,423,735.00 
			 
			 Regional transport partnership grants 
			 North east 158,123.53 408,026.90 167,714.90 
			 North west 225,173.34 619,335.50 138,371.70 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 355,350.80 404,558.80 71,385.59 
			 East Midlands 270,180.92 524,587.50 55,686.99 
			 West Midlands 405,339.67 1,207,526.00 169,568.70 
			 East of England 13,182,309.48 612,624.30 338,675.80 
			 South east 719,663.51 1,138,787.00 160,791.60 
			 South west 502,164.97 503,172.20 315,091.10 
			 Unknown 767,688.14 696,444.70 6,448.69 
			 Total 16,585,994.00 6,115,602.00 1,423,735.00 
			 Overall total 770,678.10 1,596,134.00 1,976,342.00 
		
	
	(6) Please note 2002–03 figures are incomplete. Figures only reflect the grants awarded before 15 November 2002.
	The English Rural Development Programme's Rural Enterprise Scheme provides, among other measures, support towards basic services for the rural economy and population and support towards the renovation and development of villages.
	The basic services measure can include assistance towards setting up costs and initial operating costs for the provision of small scale transport e.g. mini-bus links, voluntary carer schemes, Xout of school" child care schemes and projects that provide information and communication technology links as well as other infrastructure provision benefiting rural communities and businesses. The renovation and development of villages measure can include assistance towards the renovation of dilapidated buildings for commercial or community use or multi-functional village halls which combine both social and economic facilities.
	Committed 1 expenditure under the Rural Enterprise Scheme through measures that can contribute to the alleviation of social exclusion:
	1 These figures represent committed (not actual) expenditure over the lifetime of all the approved projects under RES's basic services and renovation and development of villages measures. There is no guarantee that all the funding displayed specifically relates to expenditure on social exclusion projects.
	
		Region2000–012001–022002–03
		
			 Eastern 0 169,933.00 0 
			 East Midlands 0 305,164.00 170,870.00 
			 London 0 0 0 
			 North east 0 0 37,157.00 
			 North west 0 81,578.00 23,825.00 
			 South east 0 81,312.00 4,808.00 
			 South west 0 142,236.00 504,131 
			 West Midlands 0 349,340.00 82,647.00 
			 Yorks and Humber 0 35,522.00 189,191.00 
			 Total 0 1,165,085.00 1,012,629.00

Staff Numbers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff the Environment Agency employs; and how many it employed in 1997–98.

Michael Meacher: On 31 October 2002, the Environment Agency employed 10,949 staff (10,683 full-time equivalents). On 1 April 1997, the Agency employed 9,123 staff (circa 8,904 full-time equivalents).

Sudden Oak Death

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of Sudden Oak Death have so far been reported to her Department; what (a) preventative and (b) remedial action she (i) has taken and (ii) will take in regard to Sudden Oak Death; and what treatments are available for Sudden Oak Death.

Michael Meacher: There have been no reported cases of Sudden Oak Death in Europe.
	A strain of Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen which has caused Sudden Oak Death in parts of California, has been found on rhododendron and viburnum plants in a number of European countries in recent years. There have been 122 findings in England and Wales since the first one in April this year. In each case infected plants and those adjacent have been destroyed. Plants in a surrounding cordon sanitaire have been held for further monitoring. In response to a UK initiative, EU measures came into force on 1 November. These require member states to survey for the disease and apply precautionary measures through the plant passport system to prevent spread on nursery stock. Defra inspectors will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures.
	Defra and the Forestry Commission are funding research to address uncertainties in the risk assessment for the European strain of the pathogen, in particular to determine whether native European trees are susceptible. No effective eradicatory fungicides are known at present, but Defra and Forestry Commission scientists are closely following research into treatments in the affected areas of the USA. Further information is available on the Defra website at defraweb/planth/what.htm.

Toxic Ash

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls exist on the use of toxic ash from incinerators as an ingredient in breeze block manufacture; and if she will make a statement on the steps taken by her Department on the construction of such breeze blocks by Ballast Phoenix, using material from the London waste incinerator at Edmonton.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 20 November 2002
	It is considered by this department and the Environment Agency that the controls for the management of waste, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, extend to the use of incinerator ash until it has been incorporated into a manufactured product (such as breeze blocks). These controls include a duty of care to manage waste safely through the prevention of harm to human health and the environment and through the prevention of the escape of waste. Furthermore, waste disposal and recovery operations are only permitted to take place under the terms of a waste management licence or an exemption from licensing.
	Until August 2000, the Edmonton incinerator was mixing bottom ash with fly ash. Following concerns about the levels of dioxins in this material, the Environment Agency launched an investigation into the destination and use of incinerator ash. The investigation found, among other details, that about 15,000 tonnes of mixed ash from Edmonton was supplied by Ballast Phoenix for the manufacture of construction blocks between 1998 and 2000. The investigation included research into the release of dioxins from construction blocks made using mixed ash from the Edmonton incinerator. The Agency found that mixed ash construction blocks do not release measurable levels of dioxins into the air, and that any dust from drilling the blocks is likely to contribute very little to typical overall exposures to dioxins.
	The Agency also recommended that subject to guidance and appropriate specifications, bottom ash could be a valuable secondary aggregate. Air Pollution Control residues and fly ash, on the other hand, are hazardous wastes and as such are subject to special controls and should be consigned to sites licensed or permitted to dispose of hazardous wastes.
	The Government commissioned the independent environmental consultants AEA Technology to produce a report on the use of incinerator bottom ash in road construction, and this is expected to be published shortly. The Agency's investigation is summarised in their report XSolid Residues from Municipal Waste Incinerators in England and Wales". Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of the House, and it can also be found at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/105385/ash pdf4.pdf

Vocational Training

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the total was of receipts from modulation that was budgeted to be spent on vocational training in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03;
	(2)  what amount of the revenue from modulation was spent on vocational training in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 to date.

Margaret Beckett: Modulated funds may be spent only on a limited range of the measures provided for under the EU Rural Development Regulation-the so-called Xaccompanying measures". Training is not one of them. Modulated funds in England are being used to support agri-environment schemes.

TREASURY

Advance Corporation Tax Credit

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit on private pension schemes.

Dawn Primarolo: The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was part of a package of reforms that included cuts in corporation tax and the abolition of advanced corporation tax. These changes were designed to improve the climate for long-term investment in the UK. In the long run, this should benefit all investors—including pension funds and those saving for retirement.

Age Statistics

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of (a) men and (b) women in each local authority area not expected to live to the age of 70.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 25 November 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question asking for an estimate of the number of (a) men and (b) women in each local authority area not expected to live to the age of 70. (83000)
	The figures requested have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The numbers provided are an estimate of the number of people currently living in each area who would die before age 70 if they were to experience current death rates for the area until their 70th birthday.
	These estimates were obtained by using the most recently available life table estimate for each local authority to calculate the probability of dying before age 70 for each age group. The expected numbers dying by age 70 were then calculated by applying these probabilities to the 2001 mid-year population estimates in each group in the area. The life table estimates used are for 1999–2001, based on 2001 population estimates. All the mid-year population estimates used in the calculation are based on the 2001 Census.
	An estimate of people dying by age 70 as a percentage of the total population aged under 70 is also presented in the table. The figures reflect mortality among those living in each local authority in 1999 to 2001. They do not reflect what is likely to happen to individuals currently alive in each area, because the death rates are likely to change in the future and because of individuals move between local authorities.

Children's Tax Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means the female partners of male recipients of the existing children's tax credit will be (a) identified and (b) notified of their entitlement to the proposed child tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: To receive their entitlement to tax credits, people need to make a claim. The Inland Revenue is writing to claimants of the existing Children's Tax Credit and inviting claims for the new tax credits. Couples must claim the new Child Tax Credit jointly. Child Tax Credit is to be paid to the person in the family who is mainly responsible for looking after the children. Where a claim to the new tax credits is made jointly, the claimants themselves are asked to identify which of them is the main carer.

Customs and Excise (Shoreham)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what activities are undertaken by the H.M. Customs and Excise at Shoreham Harbour.

John Healey: It is not Customs policy to disclose information on operational deployment of staff at specific locations.

Customs and Excise (Shoreham)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed by the H.M. Customs and Excise at Shoreham Harbour.

John Healey: There are currently some 60 Customs staff based at Shoreham Harbour.

Customs and Excise (Shoreham)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what customs checks are regularly carried out on traffic at Shoreham Harbour and Shoreham Airport.

John Healey: It is not Customs policy to disclose information on levels of Customs checks and detection activities at specific locations.

Customs and Excise (Shoreham)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local staff are employed in customs inspections on traffic at Shoreham harbour and Shoreham airport.

John Healey: There are currently no local staff employed permanently in Customs inspections on traffic at Shoreham harbour and Shoreham airport. Flexibly deployed teams of officers attend targeted arrivals according to intelligence and perceived threat or risk. These officers may be from nearby local units, regional or national teams.

Excise Duty Prosecutions (Norther Ireland)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful prosecutions there have been in Northern Ireland for the evasion of excise duty on motor transport fuels in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Customs do not have figures for prosecutions resulting from all forms of revenue evasion in road fuels for years prior to 2000–01. Figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be published in Customs' annual report for 2001–02.
	For figures for the number of successful prosecutions in Northern Ireland for oils smuggling in the years 1996–97 to 2000–01 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the former Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 20 November 2001, Official Report, column 271W.

Fuel Smuggling (Northern Ireland)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) vehicles and (b) litres of fuel were seized by HM Customs for alleged smuggling of petroleum products in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

John Healey: I refer to the earlier answer given by the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the Member for Montgomeryshire on 2 May 2002 concerning the numbers of vehicles seized by Customs for alleged fuel smuggling offences in Northern Ireland. Official Report 7 May 2002 column 39W
	Figures for the amount of fuel seized by Customs in Northern Ireland in the years 1998–99 to 2000–01 are contained in Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud, published at the time of the pre Budget Report in November 2001, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
	The Government will be publishing figures for fuel seizures in 2001–02 at the time of the forthcoming Pre-budget Report. Figures for vehicle seizures in Northern Ireland for oils fraud in 2001–02 will be published in Customs' Annual Report.

Fuel Smuggling (Northern Ireland)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to tackle cross-border smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the document XTackling Indirect Tax Fraud", published at the time of the 2001 pre-Budget report, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which explains the Government's action in Northern Ireland to tackle oils fraud. Updated information will be provided at the time of the 2002 pre-Budget report.

Fuel Smuggling (Northern Ireland)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent meetings have taken place between Ministers and officials and their Irish counterparts to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer to the answer given by the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit pik) on 2 May 2002 concerning meetings between Ministers and their Irish counterparts to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland, 7 May 2002, Official Report column 39W.
	Officials regularly hold meetings with their Irish counterparts to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland.

Fuel Smuggling (Northern Ireland)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss in revenue from petrol and diesel smuggling into Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Estimates of the revenue loss arising specifically from smuggling are not available. Estimates of the revenue loss arising from all forms of oils fraud and legitimate cross-border shopping in Northern Ireland for the years 1999 and 2000 are contained in the document Measuring Indirect Tax Fraud,published by HM Customs and Excise in November 2001. An estimate for 1998 is contained in the NAO report The Misuse and Smuggling of Hydrocarbon Oils, published in February 2002. Copies of both of these documents are available in the Library of the House. Figures for 2001 will be published at the time of the pre Budget Report.

Inland Revenue

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue has conducted an evaluation of the 1996 Spend to Save initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue did evaluate the 1996 Spend to Save initiative, and concluded that the programme successfully met its main objectives.

London Underground

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's liabilities are in relation to the public-private partnership for London Underground.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 18 April 2002, Official Report, column 1107W.

London Underground

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects a deal for the part-privatisation of London Underground to be finalised.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government expect that the public private partnership contracts to modernise the London Underground's infrastructure will be concluded shortly.

London Underground

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the legal status of the public-private partnership of London Underground.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	In accordance with its EC obligations, on 12 April 2002 the Government notified the proposed PPP arrangements to the European Commission. On 2 October 2002 the European Commission decided that those arrangements do not constitute state aid.

London Underground

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much has been spent on (a) consultancy and (b) legal fees with regard to the public-private partnership for the modernisation of London Underground;
	(2)  what the cost has been to his Department in legal fees of the Government's involvement in the public-private partnership scheme to improve London Underground.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I understand from London Transport that their expenditure on external consultants, including legal advice, from 20 March 1998 (the date of the Government's announcement) to 30 September 2002, for work on the PPP and restructuring of London Underground, was 96.3 million. As a result of the delayed implementation of the PPP, London Transport currently estimate that the final amount should be between 103-105 million, an increase of between 57 million over its December 2001 forecast. Around 1.6 million of this increase arises from the Mayor's second unsuccessful legal challenge in July 2002. The court granted that these costs should be fully recovered from Transport for London.
	Legal advice to my Department has generally been provided through our own internal legal advisers. Treasury Solicitors were instructed to act for my Department in connection with the Mayor's two unsuccessful legal challenges at a cost to the Department of around 45,000. Approximately half of this amount was subsequently recovered from Transport for London.

Ministerial Visits

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times he has visited east Lancashire in his official capacity; and what the purpose was of each visit.

John Healey: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not visited east Lancashire in an official capacity.

Mortality Statistics

Paul Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which categories of deaths have (a) increased and (b) decreased as a result of changes in the ICD-10 coding for cause of deaths in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the changes in coding.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 25 November 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking which categories of deaths have (a) increased and (b) decreased as a result of the changes in the ICD-10 coding for cause of deaths in 2001 and for a statement on the reasons for the changes in coding. (82685)
	The need to move to ICD-10 to maintain the value of mortality data to users is internationally recognised and it has been introduced in England and Wales on the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO). ICD-10 more closely reflects current medical knowledge than ICD-9, which was developed in the early 1970s, introduced in 1979 and is now out-of-date. Many diseases or conditions that are now of particular interest to medical practitioners, and those working in public health and epidemiology, cannot be adequately classified using ICD-9, for example HIV/AIDS. In addition to this there is widespread demand for more modem data on heart disease and stroke. ICD-10 has been used for the classification of morbidity data in the NHS and in cancer registration since 1995. This created difficulties in comparing morbidity and mortality.
	A fuller description of the main changes in classification was published in Health Statistics Quarterly, volumes 8 and 13. 1 , 2 Analysis of the numerical impact of the introduction of ICD-10 on a list of 108 major causes of death in England and Wales can be found in Health Statistics Quarterly, volume 14. 3
	1 Rooney C and Smith S. (2000) Implementation of ICD-10 for mortality data in England and Wales form January 2001. Health Statistics Quarterly 8, 4150.
	2 Rooney C, Griffiths C and Cook L. (2002) The implementation of ICD-10 for cause of death codingsome preliminary results from the bridge coding study. Health Statistics Quarterly 13, 3141.
	3 Office for National Statistics. (2002) Report: Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14, 7583.

Motor Vehicle Seizures

Tom Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many motor vehicles were seized by Customs and Excise at channel ports in each of the last three years.

John Healey: Customs centrally-held information on the numbers of vehicles seized does not distinguish the location at which seizure took place. For the total number of vehicles seized across the UK in 19992000 I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15 January 2001, Official Report, column 125W. Figures for the number of vehicles seized by Customs across the UK during 200001 are contained in the Government's response to the independent report by John Roques into XThe Collection of Excise Duties in HM Customs and Excise (Cm 5329, July 2001), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Figures for 200102 will be published at the time of the pre-Budget Report.

Profits Tax on Betting

Jackie Lawrence: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the gross profits tax on betting the gross profits tax on betting.

John Healey: The Government has today published the consultation document XThe Modernisation of Gambling Taxes: Consultation on the Evaluation of the Gross Profits Tax on BettingOne Year on' copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

VAT Relief

Stephen O'Brien: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned regarding VAT relief for charities; and if he will publish the results of this research.

John Healey: The Review of charity Taxation in 1999 looked carefully at the tax system for charities, including the question of VAT relief. More recently, as part of Spending Review 2002, the Cross Cutting Review of the Role of the Voluntary Sector in Delivering Services considered whether there is an effective way of mitigating the impact of irrecoverable VAT upon charities. Both of these reviews have been published and are available in the Library of the House.

Public Services (Expenditure)

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross domestic product was spent on the public services in each of the last 20 years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Adam Price on 5 November 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on what percentage of GDP was spent on public services in the last 20 years (81918)
	The term spending on public services is not precisely defined. The ONS produces statistics on Total Managed Expenditure, of United Kingdom National Accounts (the Blue Book) gives details of the components of this series. Copies of this are available in the House of Commons Library. The latest published data is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  % 
		
		
			 1982 48.2 
			 1983 48.4 
			 1984 48.0 
			 1985 46.5 
			 1986 44.6 
			 1987 42.5 
			 1988 40.0 
			 1989 39.5 
			 1990 39.8 
			 1991 41.6 
			 1992 43.8 
			 1993 43.8 
			 1994 43.3 
			 1995 42.9 
			 1996 41.4 
			 1997 39.8 
			 1998 38.6 
			 1999 37.7 
			 2000 37.9 
			 2001 38.9

TRANSPORT

Air Traffic Control

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research (a) has been conducted by his Department and (b) has been assessed by his Department or is planned on the impact of air traffic growth on air traffic control services, and which has taken place (i) by 200405, (ii) by 2015 and (iii) by 2030.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 November 2002
	The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis included a preliminary high-level assessment of airspace issues by simulating a number of potential airport development packages.This was undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority's Directorate of Airspace Policy and National Air Traffic Services. The results of this work are set out in chapter 18 of The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East main consultation document. Copies of the report by CAA and NATs have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Air Transport Consultation (Scotland)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Executive in (a) collating and (b) responding to the recent consultation on the future of air transport.

David Jamieson: Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport and Scottish Executive have liaised closely on the preparation of the consultation document for Scotland and its associated background reports. Officials from both Departments will continue to work together on the analysis of the responses to the consultation and provide advice to Ministers for future discussions on the development of the air transport White Paper which we will publish next year.

Airport Security

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level and effectiveness of security at airports, particularly (a) perimeter fencing, (b) outbuildings and (c) airside generally.

David Jamieson: On the basis of an assessment of the risk, the Department for Transport sets aviation security policy, directs the industry and monitors compliance.
	Aerodrome managers are required to establish and maintain restricted zones from which commercial air services operate. They must control access to such zones via a continuous physical barrier with designated, controlled access points to ensure that only authorised persons and vehicles are able to enter. DfT inspectors monitor compliance with these requirements and require remedial action where necessary.

Airport Expansion

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to make a full environmental impact statement about options for expansion of airports in the south-east of England.

John Spellar: The XAppraisal Framework for Airports in the South East and Eastern Regions of England published in November 2000 sets out the indicators for assessing the impacts of the runway options published in the XFuture Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East consultation. This includes a range of key environmental impacts such as noise, local air quality, climate change, townscape, landscape, biodiversity, heritage, and water.
	The consultation seeks views on these and other key impacts associated with the runway options. Responses on these issues will be important considerations in the final decisions for the air transport White Paper which we will publish next year.

Birmingham International Airport

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what supporting documentation has been submitted to his Department in connection with the alternative Birmingham airport option; and how he plans to evaluate the alternative option against the Department for Transport options.

David Jamieson: We have not received any other supporting documentation from Birmingham airport about their alternative option set out in XThe Birmingham Alternative. We will need to consider their detailed response to the future development of air transport consultation and any supporting documentation accompanying it carefully once it is received alongside other representations on the options set out in the Midlands consultation document when preparing the Air Transport White Paper.

Bus Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research he has commissioned into the potential improvement of safety on coaches by the introduction of (a) seatbelts and (b) rollover bars.

David Jamieson: Research was carried out in the UK in 200002 aimed at identifying any necessary improvements to the European standard for coach rollover protection requirements as a consequence of seat belt use. The results of this research will be published shortly and are currently being used in the international group responsible for developing the standard for rollover protection. Additional research looking at the restraint of children in coaches has recently been commissioned, and is due for completion in 2005. My Department is also contributing to the wider EU funded research project, XEnhanced Coach and Bus Safety which is looking more widely into bus and coach safety standards.

Commissioners of Lights

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial contribution in euros has been made by the Irish Government in the financial years (a) 199495, (b) 199596, (c) 199697, (d) 199899 and (e) 19992000 under the terms of an agreement reached in 1985 for the sharing of certain costs incurred by the Commissioners of Lights in the Republic of Ireland.

David Jamieson: The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial years Amount in Irish Punts Conversion to Euros 
		
		
			 199495 1,853,311 E2,353,220 
			 199596 2,001,850 E2,541,826 
			 199697 1,884,700 E2,393,076 
			 199798 2,013,134 E2,556,153 
			 199899 1,825,392 E2,317,770 
			 19992000 1,426,832 E1,811,703 
		
	
	70 per cent. of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) total expenditure is deemed to be incurred in the Republic. The contribution varies each year in proportion to CIL's operating costs.
	The single European currency was introduced in the Republic of Ireland on 1 January 2002. Prior to that date, the contribution was made in Irish punts.

Crossrail

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what research has been conducted and is planned by his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority on the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental implications of the proposed plans for Crossrail;
	(2)  what discussions his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority have had and plan to have; and what representations have been received by his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority on the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental implications of the proposed plans for Crossrail; and if he will place copies of all related documentation in the Library.

David Jamieson: My Department and the Strategic Rail Authority have received a number of representations about the proposed plans for Crossrail. Cross London Rail Links, the company jointly established by the SRA and Transport for London to develop proposals for Crossrail, are currently considering route and service options and working on the business case for them, including an assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts.

Jet Skis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personal injury accidents involving jet-skis have taken place in UK waters in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: H.M Coastguard incident reports record a total of 895 incidents involving personal watercraft between 1 January 1997 and 22 November 2002 around the UK coastline. No information is available on the number of personal injuries.

Jet Skis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of jet-skis in use in England and Wales.

David Jamieson: My Department does not keep statistics on the number of jetskis in use in England and Wales.

Jet Skis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued to promote safe use of jet-skis to (a) individual owners, (b) local authorities with responsibility for beaches and (c) port and marina operators.

David Jamieson: My Department takes the view that it is the responsibility of UK local authorities and harbour authorities to regulate personal watercraft using local bye-law powers. As such, no guidance has been issued, to date, to local authorities, although the Department is currently involved in an exercise to produce relevant information. A guide to Good Practice on Port Marine Operations was published for harbour operators in March 2002.
	With regard to individual owners, the Department has produced a nationally distributed 'Voluntary Code of Practice for Leisure Users', which provides safety information to personal watercraft users. Additionally, along with national sporting bodies, manufacturers, and water safety organisations, it is conducting an ongoing safety campaign to encourage training and better awareness of the users' responsibilities.

London Trains

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains an hour can enter London on a single track.

John Spellar: This number will depend on many technical factors, such as the precise signalling system in use on the particular section of track in question.

London Underground

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure that sufficient funds are in place for the continuing requirements of London Underground under the PPP.

David Jamieson: The Government has offered an unprecedented long-term grant commitment averaging 1 billion per annum in support of the increased investment and improved service performance that will be delivered through the Tube modernisation plans.

Light Dues

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue in the form of light dues has been collected in each financial year since 199798 from ships calling at ports in (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Republic of Ireland.

David Jamieson: The information requested is given in the table as follows.
	
		Light dues income 199798 to 200102
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			  
			 Scotland 6,628,360.51 8,034,124.92 8,929,663.47 9,110,457.12 8,536,210.39 
			 Isle of Man 37,729.06 44,424.38 20,635.93 19,012.13 19,400.57 
			 England and Wales 41,540,875.68 54,942,311.20 55,756,005.50 57,923,611.28 62,489,782.79 
			 Northern Ireland 706,507.01 617,011.16 662,503.18 599,414.51 662,195.49 
			 R.O.I (Customs  Excise) 2,816,419.48 3,131,480.85 3,464,779.82 3,416,674.55 3,077,673.30 
			 Total 61,729,891.74 66,769,352.51 68,833,587.90 71,069,169.59 74,785,262.54 
		
	
	Notes:
	The figures above are for General Light Dues and does not include income from UK Fishing Vessels and Tugs.
	The figures do not include any Light Dues refunds that were made.
	The figures for R.O.I are shown in Sterling after conversion. Pre conversion figures shown as follows.
	
		
			 R.O.I (Customs  Excise)  
		
		
			 3,154,665.35 199798 
			 3,597,474.41 199899 
			 4,246,163.66 19992000 
			 4,396,335.39 200001 
			 4,144,997.18 200102

Luton Airport

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the cost of (a) a bypass round Hitchin and (b) widening the M1 in evaluating the case for a new long runway at Luton airport.

John Spellar: XThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East main consultation document is seeking views on a range of options, two of which are for development of the single runway at Luton airport.
	Chapter 10 of the SERAS Stage Two Appraisal Findings report sets out the estimated costs of the surface access enhancements associated with the Luton airport runway options. Copies of this report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Motorway Development (Homeowners' Compensation)

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what levels of compensation are payable to homeowners affected by new motorway development.

David Jamieson: Compensation is a complex subject. In cases where property is being acquired for a motorway scheme, the homeowner is paid the full market value. The claim may also include professional costs and payments for the loss of their home, disturbance and other items.
	Where property is not being acquired, homeowners may be entitled to claim compensation under Part 1 of the Lands Compensation Act 1973. This takes into account the impact of noise, fumes, artificial lighting and other factors on the value of their property.
	A series of booklets 'Compulsory Purchase and Compensation' (15), which explains the compensation entitlements arising from highway works, is available to the public and a set will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Multi-modal Study (South-West)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will inform hon. Members directly about his decision with regard to the South West Area Regional Multi-Modal Transport Report.

David Jamieson: We are currently considering the recommendations from this study alongside the views from the respective regional planning bodies, and would hope to be in a position to announce our response to the report and the recommendations shortly.
	We will write to hon. Members within the study area on the day of the announcement. Copies of our letters to the Chairs of the regional planning bodies will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.

National Air Traffic Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what 
	(1)  measures are being taken to ensure that a continuous 24-hour service is available for the National Air Traffic Services' online safety information service; on how many occasions the service has been suspended, and for how long in each case; and what assessment he has made of the safety implications of United Kingdom pilots having to obtain safety information via alternative sources to the NATS online information service;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy that the maximum period of downtime on the NATS online information service be not more than 30 minutes in any three-month period;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the implications the faults on the NATS online information service might have for pilots flying from airfields in North Yorkshire.

David Jamieson: The setting of service standards for civil air traffic services in the UK is a matter for NATS in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority.
	The CAA recognise that some users have experienced problems receiving NOT AM information from the Web-based system over the past three months, however the information has always been available by telephone from the UK AIS Office.
	NATS do not have a precise record of the numbers of suspensions to this service. However, a recent software update to the online service has resulted in a marked improvement to the speed and reliability of the system.

Network Rail

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how mach money has been (a) granted to and (b) guaranteed for Network Rail.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to the House on 27 June 2002, Official Report, column 971W, and to the minutes mentioned in that statement.

Oil Tankers

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his definition is of partial protection in relation to single hull oil tankers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The term Xpartial protection refers to tankers having wing tanks or double bottoms in protective locations which are not used for the carriage of cargo or operating only with hydrostatically balanced loading. Such tankers do not have full double hulls, the standard required for tankers built since 1996.

Oil Tankers

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will press for an immediate ban on single hull oil tankers plying the high seas.

David Jamieson: We support the recent international agreement at the International Maritime Organization, and applied in the EU by Regulation, under which single hull tankers will be phased out in stages up to and no later than 2007. Such tankers must be replaced by tankers with double hulls.

Open Skies Agreement

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the potential role of Open Skies for Regional Airports in the United Kingdom.

David Jamieson: holding answer 20 November 2002
	There are already no capacity restrictions on flights between the US and UK regional airports (defined for this purpose as all UK airports except Heathrow and Gatwick). An Xopen skies deal, whether on the partial US model or on a full liberalisation model, would allow US airlines unrestricted fifth freedom rights from regional airports.

Open Skies Agreement

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EU will (a) open and (b) conclude negotiations with the USA on an Open Skies Agreement.

John Spellar: In order to open aviation negotiations with the United States the European Commission would first need a mandate from the Council.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on new investment on the railway network by Rail Track in Administration over the last year.

John Spellar: Details of the amount spent on enhancements and renewals relating to the railway network by Railtrack plc (in Administration) for the period to 31 March 2002, are contained in the company's accounts published on 31 October 2002 and details of expenditure for the period including the balance of the administration, will be included in the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2003, which are expected to be published around June 2003.

Railways (Disabled Access)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding his Department is allocating for the refurbishment of railway platforms to ensure full disabled persons' access.

David Jamieson: No specific funding has been allocated for platform refurbishment in connection with access for disabled passengers. Access for wheelchair users between platforms and trains is currently achieved by the use of ramps.
	Access to railway stations, as with other public transport infrastructure, is covered by the provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. From 2004, station operators will have to take reasonable steps either to remove or alter impediments to access, to find ways of avoiding them or to provide the service by a reasonable alternative means.

Railways (Disabled Access)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations do not allow disabled persons access to the platforms.

David Jamieson: Improving the accessibility of the underground system is an essential part of the plans to modernise the system. 29 of the 253 stations owned by London Underground are currently step free, and a further eight step-free stations are served by underground services. By 2020 over 100 stations will have step free access, opening up large areas of London to many people previously unable to use the network.

Shoreham Port Authority

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which officials in his Department who were responsible for the re-appointment of board members of Shoreham Port Authority at the end of 2001 had their duties switched to deal with movement of military personnel and supplies for the Afghanistan campaign.

David Jamieson: None.

South-East Region Airfield Study

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration was given to Hullavington in the site search for the South East Region Airfield Study; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Around 400 new and existing sites in southern England were considered in the SERAS preliminary site search study. Hullavington was taken forward into the latter stages of the site search study where it was assessed against a range of criteria. These included topography, obstacle limitation surfaces, airspace, noise, air quality, environment, RPG/economics, commercial demand, travel times and quality of surface access.
	Hullavington and Alconbury were taken forward for more detailed appraisal into the main SERAS study as prospective sites for small-scale airport development. Following the conclusion of the first stage of the SERAS study, Ministers agreed that Alconbury should be taken forward, and that Hullavington should not.

Tourist Signs

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on brown tourist signs.

David Jamieson: White and brown signs giving directional information about tourist destinations are controlled by traffic authorities as part of their statutory responsibility for securing the safe and efficient movement of traffic. The main purpose of white and brown signs is to guide visitors to their intended tourist destination along the most appropriate route during the latter stage of their journey, particularly where the destination may be difficult to find. The design of signs to direct traffic to tourist attractions and facilities, and of directional traffic signs generally, is controlled through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). Revised TSRGD, which we expect to lay within the next few weeks, will add to the range of symbols and designs available for traffic authorities to use.
	Decisions about the provision of signs at particular locations are the responsibility of the relevant traffic authority in the light of their local circumstances and signing policies. My Department consulted earlier this year on proposals for updated guidance to local authorities and the Highways Agency on dealing with applications for new white and brown signs. We recognise the importance of getting an appropriate balance between the needs of local tourism, safety, efficient traffic management and the environment. The draft guidance has been further revised in the light of the responses to the consultation and to take account of the revisions to the TSRGD, and we expect it to be available early next year.

Traffic Lights

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new sets of traffic lights have been installed in (a) London and (b) the rest of England since April 1997.

John Spellar: Local highway or traffic authorities have powers to install traffic signals on their roads. The Department has no central record of these.

Trinity House

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Trinity House Lighthouse Service has been successful in obtaining further maintenance work under contract from other bodies; and if he will list contracts (a) entered into and (b) pending and their financial value.

David Jamieson: Trinity House Lighthouse Service (THLS) has obtained contract work to the value of 834,688 from the organisations listed in the table.
	
		
			 Customer Scope of services 
		
		
			 Anglian Water Services Buoy Rental 
			 ABPCardiff Buoy Maintenance Services 
			 ABPSouthampton Casualty Attendance 
			 ABPSwansea Buoy Maintenance Services 
			 Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners Buoy Servicing Agreementcommenced March 2002 
			 Brighton West Pier Trust Buoy Hire Agreementcommenced November 2001 
			 Cardiff Harbour Authority Intensity, range and sector checks 
			 CEFAS Charter of Vessels 
			 Cowes Harbour Commissioners Purchase and Hire of Moorings 
			 Environment Agency (Welsh Regions) Annual Ship Services 
			 Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Ship Services 
			 First Corporate Shipping t/a The Bristol Port Company Buoy Maintenance Agreementcommenced November 1999 
			 Harwich Haven Utilisation of Ship for Buoy Maintenance Services 
			 Magnox Electric plc Buoy Rental 
			 Marine Current Turbines Ltd. Supply of Fog Detector and Lantern 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency Hire of Wreck Marker Buoys 
			 Ministry of Defence Buoy Rental 
			 Milford Haven Port Authority Buoy Maintenance Services 
			 National Power plc Maintenance Services to Navigation Light 
			 National Wind Power Siting of anemometry equipment on Pan Sand Beaconcommenced September 1998 
			 Neg Micon UK Ltd. (formerly Wind Energy Group Ltd.) Siting of anemometry equipment on three existing buoy stationscommenced June 1998 
			 Noordzeewind Data Collection Agreement 
			 Penwith District Council Navigation Light Maintenance Agreementcommenced April 2002 
			 Ramsgate Royal Harbour Ship Services 
			 Scarborough Borough Council Buoy Maintenance Agreementcommenced April 1998 
			 Sedgemoor District Council Navigation Light Maintenance Agreementcommenced September 2000 
			 Sovereign Harbour Marina Ltd. Launch Services 
			 States of Guernsey Ship Services 
			 States of Jersey Ship Services 
			 Tendring District Council Sale of Scrap Buoy and Chain 
			 Wells Harbour Commissioners Buoy Servicing Agreementcommencing March 2002 
			 Yorkshire Water Services Buoy Maintenance Agreementcommenced January 2001 
			  
			 The following contracts are commercial in confidence:  
			 Commercial in Confidence Charter of THV Patricia 10 August 2001 to 15 August 01 
			 Commercial in Confidence Data Collection Servicescommencing December 2002 
			  
		
	
	The contracts have utilised spare capacity in the THLS fleet and include both maintenance contracts and one-off project based contracts. THLS are working on a number of positive leads for additional work but are unable to identify at this stage if any are likely to become firm orders.

Unregistered Ships

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the conditions of work of foreign nationals on un-registered ships.

David Jamieson: Merchant shipping legislation governing conditions of work on UK registered ships, such as hours of work, applies equally to all seafarers regardless of their nationality.
	The working hours of all seafarers (whatever their nationality) on board UK registered ships are limited by Directive 1999/63/EC, which the UK implemented in September 2002.
	Rates of pay are matters for negotiation between employers and employees, subject to the national minimum wage. Foreign nationals on UK registered ships are not covered by the national minimum wage except when in UK waters.
	Employers of seafarers recruited abroad to work on UK registered ships are exempt from the employment provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 when employing seafarers abroad.

Waste (Trust Ports)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent guidance has been issued by his Department regarding the disposal of human waste from house boats moored in trust port waters.

David Jamieson: None.

Waterloo Station

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains per hour enter Waterloo; and what his plans are for capacity there.

John Spellar: There are approximately 45 trains per hour entering London Waterloo station at peak periods. The Strategic Rail Authority has invited comments on a consultation paper on its Capacity Utilisation Policy.

West Anglia Rail Route Modernisation

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects the Strategic Rail Authority's indicative timescale for West Anglia Route Modernisation, as set out on page 53 of 'The Strategic Plan', including additional capacity at Cambridge Station, to be maintained.

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 November 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 21 November 2002, Official Report, column 269W. The time and cost of any project at this stage cannot be guaranteed, as it is always possible for underlying problems with existing infrastructure to be revealed when work commences.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Plan Puebla Panama

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to conduct a social and environmental impact assessment of the Plan Puebla Panama in Mexico.

Bill Rammell: None. There is currently no British Government involvement in Plan Puebla Panama nor plans for any. The Mexican authorities continue to develop the Plan with their Central American neighbours.

Bahrain

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Bahraini authorities regarding British nationals facing pre-trial interviews in Bahrain.

Mike O'Brien: The British Embassy in Bahrain has had discussions with the Bahraini authorities about a British national facing a pre-trial interview. My noble Friend Baroness Amos will write to the hon. Member with more details about the case.

British Embassy (Yemen)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the staffing is at the British embassy in Yemen.

Mike O'Brien: There are nine UK-based staff and 45 locally engaged staff in the embassy in Sana'a.

Central African Republic

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the military situation in the Central African Republic.

Bill Rammell: HMG is concerned at the recent coup attempt in the Central African Republic and welcomes the current cessation of hostilities. We welcome the arrival of a contingent of troops from CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) to undertake a peace-keeping role. We support the UN's efforts to bring relief to the civilian population.

Consular General's House, San Francisco

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to sell the Consular General's house in San Francisco; what the Estates Department's conclusion was on the sale of the Consular General's house in San Francisco following their visit there in February; and how much the visit of the Estates Department to San Francisco cost the Department.

Bill Rammell: We have yet to identify an alternative house for the Consul General in San Francisco. An FCO survey team visited the Post in March and viewed 12 possible properties for purchase. None was suitable. The present house will only be sold when an alternative is found which meets the operational requirements of the Post and gives value for money to the taxpayer.
	The survey team also reviewed the suitability of the present offices and looked at a possible alternative property. The associated travel costs of the visit were approximately 17,000.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards the setting up of a peace commission in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Negotiations continue between Uganda and the DRC on setting up the Joint Commission provided for in the Luanda Agreement, which the two sides signed on 6 September. The Commission will make a significant contribution to securing peace in the Ituri district of the DRC and we attach importance to an early agreement. We are also working with the UN and other interested partners for a successful outcome to the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, which will lead to the creation of an all-inclusive transitional Congolese Government. This Government will have authority throughout the DRC, including Ituri.

Departmental Telecommunications

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at how many missions his Department's telecommunications network has installed both telephone systems and network connections; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Telecommunications Network (FTN) connects our overseas missions to a telecommunications network and to a telephone system (PBX). The related hardware is installed by the FCO's PFI partner, Global Crossing. There are separate, but interlinked, timetables for the two types of installation. The number of missions that have already received network connections and new telephone systems is 150 and 177 respectively.
	Not all missions are receiving both. To date, the number of missions with both network connection and new telephone system is 141.

Departmental Telecommunications

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the maximum period of time that his Department's communications would be disrupted in the event of the failure of Global Crossing to continue in operation; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Contingency arrangements are in place to allow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to continue to operate without disruption should Global Crossing, for any reason, withdraw their service. We are concluding work connected with service to North America and Western Europe, and for service within the United Kingdom, which will further enhance existing contingency arrangements and ensure no loss of service.

Departmental Telecommunications

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what interruptions of service his Department's telecommunication network has had in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Telecommunications Network (FTN) connects our diplomatic missions overseas to a telecommunications network; and to a telephone system (PBX). Both services are provided through service level agreements (SLAs) under the contract with our PFI partner, Global Crossing. While there have been some circuit interruptions, as is to be expected from a world-wide network, the overall performance has exceeded contractual requirements and has served the FCO very well.

Departmental Telecommunications

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will incur financial penalties in the event of Global Crossing becoming bankrupt; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The FCO would incur no financial or contractual penalties in the event of Global Crossing being declared bankrupt but would assume financial commitments in either appointing a new prime contractor or in taking on the role of prime contractor to ensure continuation of service. The FCO is monitoring Global Crossing's progress towards a successful exit from Chapter 11 protection.

EU Enlargement

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of enlargement of the European Union for UK relations with Russia.

Denis MacShane: We and our EU partners are working to ensure that the effect of enlargement on the EU's relations with Russiaand therefore on the UK's relationship with Russiawill be positive. The EU wants to help Russia maximise the considerable opportunities enlargement offers. EU work with Russia on WTO accession, the EU/Russia energy dialogue, the concept of a common economic space, and increased political and JHA co-operation are all contributing to this end. In addition, the EU is working closely with Russia to ensure that Kaliningrad, its Baltic sea enclave, remains a fully integrated part of the Russian Federation after enlargement.

EU/ACP Meeting

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received concerning banned Zimbabwean Ministers being granted visas to attend the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels at the end of November; under what terms these visas have been granted; what role the European Development Fund will have in funding these visits; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: On 7 November Belgium alerted EU partners to the request for visas to attend the EU/ACP meeting from Christopher Kuruneri, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister for Finance and Paul Mangwana, Minister of State for State Enterprises. Both are on the EU travel ban list. The Belgian Government explained that under the terms of the Lome and Cotonou Agreements, Belgium had a legal obligation to grant these visas, since these agreements override Council decisions on sanctions. The Belgian Government undertook to attach maximum restrictions. The banned individuals were granted visas only for the period 1929 November, restricted to the territory of Belgium.
	The meeting of the EU/ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly, funding issues and invitations to ACP countries, are matters for the co-Secretariat of the EU/ACP. Once the invitation had issued, the choice of representatives from Zimbabwe was a matter for the Zimbabwe Parliament.
	The EU's Common Position 2002/145/CFSP imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe specifically allow member states to grant exemptions where travel is justified on grounds of attending meetings of international bodies.

EU/SADC Meeting

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to send a representative to the meeting scheduled for EU and SADC leaders to be held in Lisbon in April 2003; what representations he has made to other SADC and EU countries concerning this meeting; whether Zimbabweans on the EU travel ban list will be able to attend this meeting; whether he plans to support a relocation of this meeting to a venue outside of the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The meeting scheduled to be held in Lisbon in April 2003 is an EU/Africa meeting. There has so far been no formal EU discussion of attendance or relocation. The Government considers that no-one subject to an EU travel ban should attend a meeting in the European Union unless their right to attend is required pursuant to a legal obligation. The Government will decide its own representation closer to the time.

Gibraltar

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers he has to hold a referendum in Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: This Government has always made clear that there will be no change in the sovereignty of Gibraltar unless the people of Gibraltar agree to it in a referendum. If there were such a set of proposals on the table that included such a change, then the Government would ensure that the necessary arrangements were in place to hold a referendum, most probably through seeking an Order in Council as was done in 1967.

Gracemoor Consultants

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the former employees of his Department who have taken up positions with Gracemoor Consultants, stating in each case the name, position previously held and date of leaving.

Mike O'Brien: We are unable to answer this question as instructed by the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information Part 2, section 12, Privacy of an Individual, which states that unwarranted disclosure to a third party of personal information about any person would constitute an invasion of privacy.

Nepal

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Military Intelligence Support Group within the Nepalese Army will play in conflict prevention; and what its objectives are.

Mike O'Brien: The role of the Military Intelligence Support Group (MISG) is to enhance the intelligence gathering capability of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). Its objective is to provide accurate intelligence so that the RNA are able to identify Maoist military activity.

Overseas Prisoners

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further progress his Department has made in assisting Jonathan Lincoln Brown, a constituent who is held in Oman.

Mike O'Brien: Our embassy in Muscat continues to make representations to the Omani authorities on behalf of Mr. Lincoln Brown, who remains at liberty in Oman though he is not permitted to leave. On 25 September 2002, our embassy wrote to the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs querying the process by which Mr. Lincoln Brown was initially denied the Right of Appeal in 2001. Although his Right of Appeal was subsequently restored and heard on 6 May 2002, it failed. Mr. Lincoln Brown has now said that he will appeal to the Supreme Court against this decision.
	Our embassy has also informed the Omani authorities by a Diplomatic Note sent on 17 November, of Mr. Lincoln Brown's intention to leave Oman. We are seeking from them confirmation that he can do so. Our embassy will continue to press for an early and substantive reply on both issues.

Prestige

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken and will take at intergovernmental and European levels on accusations made by the Spanish Government and by the European Commissioner for Transport that the accident off Galicia involving the oil tanker Prestige was linked to Gibraltar's alleged failure to comply with Community legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: We have made clear to the Spanish Government and to the European Commission that the accident off Galicia involving the oil tanker Prestige was in no way linked to any alleged failure by Gibraltar to comply with Community Legislation. The UK's Permanent Representative to the EU wrote to the Commission on this, and I have arranged for a copy of the Commission's letter and the reply to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Somalia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the peace talks in Somalia.

Bill Rammell: The UK has followed with keen interest the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference which started on 15 October in Eldoret and is chaired by Kenya under the auspices of the regional organisation IGAD.
	All the faction leaders present in Eldoret signed a Declaration on Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process on 27 October. This was welcomed by the European Union in a declaration on 28 October.
	The UN Security Council also issued a Presidential Statement on Somalia on 21 November reiterating its strong support for the Conference. The Conference resumed its discussions on 19 November.

Thailand (BAE Systems)

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK Ambassador in Thailand has given to BAe to help them export to that country.

Mike O'Brien: It is established Government policy to support British companies with legitimate defence exports and the Embassy in Bangkok has offered commercial assistance to Bae Systems with their efforts to do business in Thailand.
	On 18 October the Ambassador signed a Joint Minute on Defence Co-operation with the Thai Deputy Prime Minister, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in Bangkok. The Joint Minute refers to a commercial agreement between Bae Systems and the Royal Thai Government, the details of which are a matter for BAe Systems and the Royal Thai Government.

Turkey

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the election in Turkey and its impact on Turkey's accession to the EU.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued the following statement on 4 November:
	XWhile the results so far are unofficial, they indicate that AKP will be the largest party in the Turkish Parliament. This is a clear expression of the popular will. As the Prime Minister said this morning, we look forward to working with the new government, as soon as it is formed. I am glad to note the commitment of AKP leaders to taking forward EU/Turkey relations. The UK is a longstanding supporter of Turkey's EU candidature. I stand ready to help Turkey move further and faster along the road to Europe. I also note AKP leaders' commitment to working with the IMF for continued economic recovery; and the stress they have placed on the promotion and protection of human rights.
	Britain and Turkey have much to do together, particularly in the run up to the Copenhagen European Council. I very much hope this will include progress on Cyprus. We must all redouble our support for the UN Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus
	The Foreign Secretary reiterated these points in his meeting with Turkish leaders on 20 November.

UN Resolution 1441

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to find a peaceful outcome to implementing UN resolution 1441.

Mike O'Brien: The UK played a pivotal role in securing the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1441, which offers Saddam Hussein a final chance to give up his weapons of mass destruction peacefully. We will continue to give the UN weapons inspectors all possible help to complete their task effectively. But ultimately it is up to the Iraqi regime to decide whether or not to co-operate. If it chooses not to, resolution 1441 makes clear that it will face serious consequences.

Unexploded Landmines

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of unexploded landmines in Eritrea.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE MACC) has reported that no recent estimate has been made of the number of unexploded landmines in Eritrea as a whole. It is estimated that no more than 100,000 of the approximately 250,000 landmines laid during the 19982000 conflict remain in the UNMEE-monitored Temporary Security Zone on the border with Ethiopia, from which approximately 4,000 landmines have so far been cleared. There is no reliable data on contaminated areas or numbers of landmines for the rest of the country. A country-wide Landmine Impact Survey is currently being conducted by the UN Development Programme, the results of which are due in mid-2003.

Unexploded Landmines

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of unexploded landmines on the demarcation of the disputed border between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (UNMEE MACC) has reported that, based on detailed reconnaissance of the new border line, it is estimated that up to 150 border pillar sites may be contaminated by landmines or unexploded ordnance (UXO). All access routes to the border to be utilised by the demarcation survey and pillar construction teams have to be checked and cleared of mines where necessary. UNMEE has been mandated by the Security Council to conduct demining operations in support of the demarcation teams, and UNMEE MACC is co-ordinating and managing this project. The EU has provided Euro 1 million to the Border Commission Trust Fund for Quality Assurance and Explosive Detection Dog support contractors to supplement the UNMEE assets to be utilised for the demining support project.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Britain and Yemen.

Mike O'Brien: The UK has good relations with the Republic of Yemen. We welcome President Saleh's co-operation in the fight against terrorism. We are in close touch with the Yemenis on this and on other issues.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are in Yemen.

Mike O'Brien: There are 343 British citizens registered with the embassy. We have no reliable figure for others who are not registered.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Government concerning the situation in Yemen.

Mike O'Brien: We regularly discuss the situation in Yemen, and other countries, both formally and informally with the US Government. These discussions cover a wide range of subjects, including counter-terrorism, security, democracy, human rights, the economy and development.

Zambia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the use of public funds by the ruling MMD party in Zambia during the presidential election in December 2001.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received no such reports. However, the second interim statement by the European Union Election Observation Mission, which was issued before the Presidential election in December 2001,alleged the use of Government resources for party political purposes. Evidence of this has been presented to the Zambian Supreme Court as part of the on-going petition challenging the legitimacy of the election result.

Zimbabwe

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the use by the Zimbabwe Republic Police of tear gas from the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today (UIN 82568), to the right hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Oliver Letwin).

Zimbabwe

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of British-made tear gas being used in Zimbabwe against citizens.

Bill Rammell: We have received a report from Amnesty International in the UK about the alleged use by the Zimbabwean Police of British made tear gas against Zimbabwean students in November 2001. There has been a UK arms embargo on Zimbabwe since May 2000. We have urged Amnesty to pass any evidence to HM Customs and Excise, who are responsible for the enforcement of UK export controls.

EDUCATION

Academic Research

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of university staff turnover on the quality of academic research and higher education in the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: The Department has carried out no specific assessment of the impact of university staff turnover on the quality of academic research and higher education. However, the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise showed that 55 per cent. of research staff now work in Departments containing work of international excellence compared with 31 per cent. in 1996. In addition, the recently completed QAA eight year cycle of HE subject reviews, which included an assessment of teaching quality, identified only 1 per cent. of unsatisfactory provision. The Higher Education Funding Council in September 2002 pointed to some subject areas where it is difficult to recruit including some shortage areas particularly ICT, business, science and engineering. We recognise these difficulties and the challenges our universities face recruiting and retaining in an international market. Top US universities, in particular, pay some academics and researchers salaries, which can be twice as much as their British counterparts earn.

Accommodation Centres (Education)

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the teaching unions on his proposals to educate some children seeking asylum in accommodation centres.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 18 November 2002
	My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare, has had discussions with the National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT on the Government's proposals to educate in accommodation centres some children whose family is seeking asylum.

Asperger's Syndrome

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to provide assistance to pupils with Asperger's syndrome to ensure that they can enter public examinations on an equal footing, with respect to part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Stephen Twigg: Schools are required under part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to take reasonable steps to prevent disabled pupils from being put at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled pupils in respect of education and associated services. This would include, where appropriate, negotiating special arrangements for pupils with disabilities who are taking public examinations. What constitutes a reasonable step will depend on the circumstances of individual cases and schools will need to take into account any relevant factors, including the need to maintain academic, musical, sporting and other standards, the financial resources available to them and the costs of taking a particular step.
	In addition, both the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the examination boards make special arrangements for children with special educational needs, with and without statements, where it can be shown that they usually have additional or different provision in school. For pupils with Asperger's syndrome special arrangements are likely to take the form of extra time or rest breaks. The tests or examinations can also be taken in a separate room if that is appropriate.

Car Parking

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many car parking spaces are available to (a) employees of his Department and (b) visitors to his Department within the proposed Central London Road User Charging Zone.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 19 November 2002
	Under the proposed central London charging zone within my Department there are:
	(a) 27 car parking spaces available to employees of the Department
	(b) 14 car parking spaces available to visitors in the Department.

Child Protection

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing a system of identification, referral and tracking for every child at risk of social exclusion in each local authority.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government announced its intention to promote better local systems for the identification, referral and tracking of children at risk as part of its street crime initiative last summer. Six local authorities, Bolton, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, Knowsley, Lewisham and Sheffield, were selected as Trailblazers for funding of up to 1 million to fast-track the development of appropriate systems, and the remaining 28 participating authorities were invited to bid for up to 100,000 for initial developmental work.
	The Cross-Cutting Review on Children at Risk found that the failure to share information between agencies was a significant barrier to the provision of effective preventive services for children and young people at risk of social exclusion. On 16 August I therefore announced that, as a result of the Spending Review 2002, additional funding would be made available to support all local authorities in developing local systems to identify, refer and track children at risk. The offer of 100,000 has now been extended to all local authorities, and a further four Trailblazers are being identified to extend the geographical coverage and range of authorities. In both cases, authorities are due to submit their plans for taking this work forward to the Children and Young People's Unit (CYPU) for assessment and approval during December.
	Draft guidance based on the emerging experiences of the Trailblazer authorities will be published during March 2003 to support all local authorities in the further development of local systems. Concurrently, the CYPU is working with other Departments, including the Cabinet Office's Green Paper team, to develop coherent central approaches to the identification, referral and tracking of children at risk in the context of work to develop local preventive strategies.

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the policy is of his Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 19 November 2002
	Staff within my Department on official business who are required to drive their own or officially provided vehicles within the charging zone will be reimbursed.

Connexions Cards

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much revenue has been raised by selling information contained on Connexions cards.

Stephen Twigg: No revenue has been raised by selling information contained on the Connexions Card.

Dance and Drama Awards

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria applicants for the Dance and Drama Awards scheme are required to meet; what representations he has received about the administration of the awards scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The Dance and Drama Awards are given to the Xmost talented students following open auditions at the schools that offer the awards. I have received no representations regarding the administration of the scheme in the last two years. I am pleased that our external evaluators report that the scheme is performing well and the awards are enabling students from lower income families to access high quality Performing Arts training. Last year all students passed their Trinity College London qualifications and all providers met the high quality standards set for inspection.

Dance and Drama Awards

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many awards made under the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme went to schools which were not members of the National Council for Drama Training in each of the last three years; what contracts and agreements his Department has with the National Council for Drama Training; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: Of the 820 new Dance and Drama Awards allocated to schools each year the following Awards were allocated to providers that were not members of the National Council for Drama Training:
	399 Awards in 2002;
	424 Awards in 2001; and
	355 Awards in 2000.
	The Department for Education and Skills has no contracts or agreements with the National Council for Drama Training.

Dance and Drama Awards

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the relationship between the National Council for Drama Training and Trinity College Examination Board; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: I have made no assessment of the relationship between the National Council for Drama Training and Trinity College Examination board. These bodies are both independent and make an important contribution to training for the Performing Arts.

Drugs Education

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from (a) LEAs, (b) drug action teams and (c) school heads on the guidelines for drug education in secondary schools.

Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills has regular contact and consults widely with schools and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to ensure that they are involved in the policy making process, and officials have discussed drug education with the Home Office, to whom drug action teams are accountable, via correspondence and at regular meetings.
	In the last six months officials have received correspondence from schools and LEAs about various matters related to drugs education.
	We have recently started the process of revising and consolidating Government guidance on drug, alcohol and tobacco education for schools with a view to issuing new guidance in Autumn 2003. Three pre-drafting consultation events held across the country in October, included representatives from drug action teams, LEAs and schools. We will consult widely on the draft guidance in the spring.

EU Education Benchmarks

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the staying-on rate in post-16 education in coalfield areas was, in each year since 1997, and how this compares with the national average.

Margaret Hodge: Data on the percentage of students continuing in post-compulsory education at age 16 for coalfield areas cannot be produced reliably at present. Participation rates by LEA and by local LSC area for 16 and 17-year-olds are published in Statistical Bulletin 14/01, XParticipation in education and training by young people aged 16 and 17 in each local area and region, England, 1995/96 to 1999/00.
	National participation rates are published annually in a Statistical First Release (SFR), the latest being issue 16/02, XParticipation in Education, Training and Employment by 1618 Year Olds in England: 2000 and 2001.
	The percentage of 16-year-olds participating in full-time and part-time education in England since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			 End of calendar year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 (provisional) 
		
		
			 Full-time education 69.4 69.8 71.3 71.4 71.2 
			 Part-time education 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.5 7.3 
		
	
	Source:
	SFR 16/02

Heroin

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many LEAs collect statistics on actual and perceived heroin abuse by parents with primary school children;
	(2)  how many primary schools have more than 5 per cent. of pupils with a heroin addicted parent at home;
	(3)  what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact on primary school children of having a heroin-dependent parent at home;
	(4)  what recent estimate he has made of the number of children at primary school level who have a parent addicted to heroin at home.

Stephen Twigg: Local education authorities and primary and secondary schools are not required to collect information about the drug use of their pupils' parents. There are inherent difficulties in collecting information about drug use; because of its often illegal nature, drug users are often reluctant to identify themselves to statutory bodies.
	The Home Office is responsible for collecting information on the scale of drug misuse in England and Wales. The report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs XThe Children of Problem Drug Users is due to be published next year and will contain estimates of the numbers of children affected by parental drug misuse. The report is also expected to make recommendations to address the problem.
	When parents use drugsespecially problematic and illegal drugs like herointheir children may be exposed to a range of emotional and physical hazards. Children may respond in a variety of ways, including: disturbed or anti-social behaviour; becoming withdrawn or introverted; turning to drink or drugs to escape unpleasant home situations; running away from home; losing concentration in class; and reluctance to form or develop friendships with schoolmates. The child may also be the subject of bullying if schoolmates perceive him or her to be 'different' or 'not fitting in' with the peer group. Schooling is likely to be interrupted if the child is depended upon to care for drug using parents.
	The Government recognise that the children of drug using parents are a vulnerable group. They should therefore benefit from the new requirement for every top tier or unitary local authority to prepare from April 2003 a local preventive strategy to improve outcomes for children aged 019 who are at risk of social exclusion. This was announced by the Minister for Young People on 6 September. On 30 October the Prime Minister announced to the House the Government's intention to publish a Green Paper on Children at Risk in the New Year. My Department is playing a full part in helping to make sure that vulnerable children and young people are identified as soon as possible, and that their needs are met with a coherent and effective response from the relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.

Learning and Skills Councils

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which learning and skills councils (a) have and (b) do not have a member representing schools with sixth forms.

Margaret Hodge: Since April 2002 the LSC has been responsible for the funding of school sixth forms. In the Secretary of State's Grant Letter for 200203 we asked the LSC to widen council representation from the schools sector. Since then the LSC has been actively recruiting school teachers and head teachers and will continue to do so. Currently there are 19 local LSCs with teachers or head teachers of schools with sixth forms on their local councils. These are: Kent and Medway; Berkshire; Milton Keynes; Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire; Surrey; Bedfordshire; Cambridgeshire; Essex; Hertfordshire; Norfolk; Suffolk; County Durham; North Yorkshire; Greater Merseyside; Coventry and Warwickshire; Gloucestershire; West of England; London South; Northamptonshire; and Derbyshire. Three more local LSCs have head teachers of schools which do not have sixth forms.
	In addition the LSC is the process of recruiting a head teacher of a school with a sixth form to its national council.
	Further experience of schools' matters is brought by those local council members who come from local authorities and local education authorities (30 local councils have Directors of Education/Chief Education Officers, 40 local councils have elected members and 46 local councils have members with other local authority backgrounds). In addition 40 local LSCs have members who are school governors.

Preventive Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding his Department has targeted on preventive education programmes about (a) drugs and (b) youth offending; what funding is targeted at vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The Department recognises the importance of preventative activity and ensuring that support reaches those most in need and we have made significant funding available to facilitate this.
	(a) Drug, alcohol and tobacco education in the curriculum is funded via the Standards Fund. This funding, made available to local education authorities (LEAs) is to support the training of teachers and deliver effective drug, alcohol and tobacco education and prevention programmes. 15.5 million has been made available in 200203 and this will rise to 17.5 million in 2003- 04. The breakdown for 200203 is: Standards Fund Drug Prevention Grant7.5 million; Standards Fund Drug Education Advisers Grant5.7 million; Teacher training and Connexions Adviser training 2.3 million. The breakdowns for 200304 have not yet been announced.
	This increase will improve the quality and coverage of drug, alcohol and tobacco education, fund drug adviser support in each LEA and help teachers deliver programmes tailor-made to meet the needs of young people across the country, including those most vulnerable to the risks of drug misuse.
	(b) Through our Behaviour Improvement Programme, we have allocated 50 million to 34 LEAs with high rates of street crime and truancy to work with targeted schools in improving behaviour and attendance. Under the Programme, this summer, we allocated a further 16 million to the Connexions Partnerships covering the 34 LEAs to provide key workers and diversionary activities for over 9,000 of the young people in those areas most at risk of offending.
	The Connexions Service brings together a wide range of agencies to provide information, advice, guidance and support to all young people aged 1319, but with a sharp focus on those who need it most. I announced last week that funding for Connexions will rise to 515 million by 200506. The vision statement for Connexions that I issued last week, along with ministerial colleagues across Whitehall, reaffirms our joint commitment to securing better outcomes for this age group, but specifically around increasing the number who participate in education training and employment and reducing the number of young people who become involved in crime.

Public Service Agreements

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place the data underlying his Department's value for money scores in relation to the 1998 public service agreements in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: Progress against our CSR 98 targets was reported most recently in the Department's 2002 Annual Report. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

School Standards

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the progress made towards his Department's targets on (a) reducing the number of secondary schools classed as failing, (b) reducing school truancies and (c) ensuring that all permanently excluded pupils obtain an appropriate full-time education.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 18 November 2002
	(a) Significant progress has been made in tackling failure. The number of secondary schools classed as failing has declined and continues to do so. There are currently 51 secondary schools requiring special measures compared with 90 schools in summer 1998.
	(b) The Department's Public Service Agreement target is to reduce school truancies by 10 per cent by 2004 compared to the 2002 rate, sustain the new lower level, and improve overall attendance levels thereafter. The Department's Statistical First Release showing school absence for the 2001/02 school year published on 9 October 2002 shows the national rate of unauthorised absence to be 0.7 per cent. of half days missed.
	(c) All Local Education Authorities have said that they would be able to provide suitable full time education to all permanently excluded pupils from September 2002. Officials are currently conducting a survey to ensure that this target has been met.

School Transport

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the additional school transport required in (a) The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and (b) Wokingham District as a result of the Government's plans for housing; and what additional funding he has provided for it.

Stephen Twigg: It is for local education authorities to determine how much to spend on home-school transport, taking account of need in their area. Funding for home to school transport is routed through the Education Standard Spending Assessment.

School Transport

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his policy on pilot-free school bus transport for secondary school pupils living less than three miles from school, with special reference to Staffordshire.

Stephen Twigg: Local education authorities (LEAs) are encouraged to pilot and evaluate changes to home to school transport entitlement, particularly where low income groups may otherwise be cut off from successful schools or alternative types of learning locally.
	Some LEAs have already expressed an interest in exploring such pilots, including Staffordshire County Council. The outcome of their bid for funding under the Rural Bus Challenge will be announced early in the new year. LEAs are also encouraged to seek funding through local Public Service Agreements when these are negotiated or renegotiated.

Schools Funding (Buckinghamshire)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire had a cash budget cut this financial year.

David Miliband: holding answer 19 November 2002
	The information requested is submitted to the Department according to local education authority areas, rather than districts within an area. Chesham and Amersham is a district of Buckinghamshire Local Education Authority. In Buckinghamshire LEA, 36 schools had a fall in their cash budget share in 200203. Of these, six schools closed mid-year. Five of the 36 schools also had a fall in their cash budget share per pupil.
	Changes in pupil numbers are the principal reason for changes in budget share. 200 schools did not have a fall in their budget share, but of these, six had a fall in their cash budget share per pupil. This was largely in cases where small primary schools had rising rolls and, therefore, received less of the extra funding that goes to the smallest schools under the authority's formula.

Schools Funding (Buckinghamshire)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on each (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in (i) 200102 and (ii) 200203 in (A) Chesham and Amersham and (B) Buckinghamshire.

David Miliband: holding answer 19 November 2002
	The information requested is submitted to the Department according to local education authority areas, rather than districts within an area. Chesham and Amersham is a district of Buckinghamshire Local Education Authority. Buckinghamshire LEA spent (a) 2,250 per primary school pupil and (b) 3,030 per secondary school pupil in the 200001 financial year. The Department is in the process of collecting data for the 200102 financial year and I will write to the hon. Member when it is available. Data for 200203 will not be collected until September 2003.

Skills Base

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent analysis has been carried out by the Learning and Skills Council of the skills base in coalfield areas compared to the national average.

Margaret Hodge: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Special Educational Needs

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if a child who is assessed as having special educational needs which are best met in a mainstream maintained school will be permitted to attend such a school; and if the LEA will have a duty to find a school place for that child.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 18 November 2002
	If no statement is maintained for a child, they must be educated in a mainstream school. Children with statements of special educational needs should also be taught in a mainstream school and the LEA should find a place for them where parents wish it, and it is not incompatible with the efficient education of other children. This will also apply to accommodation centre residents who subsequently remain in this country after leaving the centre. For children and their parents who are resident in an accommodation centre, local education authorities will be able to disapply the relevant provisions of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to name a mainstream school in a child's statement, having carried out a statutory assessment of a child's special educational needs, if they consider that the accommodation centre or a special school will not be able to meet the child's needs. We would, however, expect local education authorities to take this course of action only rarely, and the great majority of children will have their special educational needs met appropriately in the accommodation centres.

Special Educational Needs

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what education a child with special educational needs who is living in an accommodation centre will receive while their assessment is in the process of being completed.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 18 November 2002
	Children with special educational needs will continue to receive education in accommodation centres while they are being assessed. Education provided within the accommodation centres will have the same broad range and be of equivalent quality to that provided in mainstream schools, including support through School Action and School Action Plus under the Special needs Code of Practice.

Student Loans

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to change the interest rates charged to students who receive loans from the Student Loans Company.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. The document will be published in January; it would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or what is not planned.

University Merger (London)

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he has been consulted on the proposed merger of Imperial College and University College, London.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not been consulted. I understand that Imperial College and University College, London announced their decision not to merge on 18 November.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Credit Card Fraud

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what he estimates the annual cost of credit card fraud to be in the UK economy;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with credit card companies and the banking industry regarding credit card fraud.

John Denham: The Home Office does not compile estimates of the cost of credit card fraud and this information is not available from police recorded crime statistics.
	In the publication, X2002: Fraud in Focus, the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) estimated the losses from cheque, debit and credit or charge card fraud at 317 million in 2000 and 411.4 million in 2001. APACS recently estimated losses in the 12months to August 2002 at 429.4 million.
	I met representatives of APACS in January 2002 to discuss the establishment of a joint national cheque and credit card fraud squad. The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Card Unit came into existence in April 2002, with funding provided by both the private sector and the Government. Home Office officials hold quarterly meetings with representatives from APACS and the British Bankers Association (BBA) to monitor the Unit's progress.
	In addition, Home Office officials hold regular discussions with key representatives from the credit card companies and the banking industry about credit card fraud and progress of the project to introduce microchips into payment cards to help their authentication and personal identification numbers (PINs) in place of signatures.

Hearsay Evidence

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the treatment of hearsay evidence.

Hilary Benn: Under the proposals set out in the Government White Paper, XJustice for All, we will allow reported evidence, 'hearsay', to be included in criminal proceedings if there is a good reason for the original maker not to be able to give evidence personally (e.g. through illness or death); or where records have been reliably compiled by businesses. In these circumstances, the evidence should automatically go in. The courts would also have the powers to decide that other evidence of this sort can be given, with certain safeguards.
	Furthermore, under these reforms, witnesses' previous and original statements would be more widely admissible at trials in order to make it easier for them to give their evidence.

Police Constables (Nottinghamshire)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans have been made for the recruiting of additional Special Constables in Nottinghamshire Constabulary's 'B' Division.

John Denham: We recognise that the Special Constabulary has a vital role to play in reducing crime and providing reassurance to the public.
	We are working with stakeholders on a variety of measures to help forces improve the recruitment, management and deployment of Specials, including good practice guidance.
	We have set aside 300,000 to help XSpecials Champions drive forward initiatives to support the development of the guidance. The XChampions Initiative will help identify effective local recruitment practices and procedures, including recruitment from visible ethnic minority communities and also other groups which, traditionally, have been harder to attract to the special constabulary.

Taser M26

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his assessment is of the deterrent capabilities of the Taser M26.

John Denham: The deterrent capabilities of Taser were considered by the Home Office's Police Scientific Development Branch in their second phase report on less lethal technology, which was published in November 2001.

Trial by Jury

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on trial by jury.

Hilary Benn: The responses to the consultation exercise are currently being considered. I will arrange to publish them in due course.

Anti-social Behaviour Orders

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued since their introduction in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 19 November 2002
	An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is a civil order made by a court which currently can be applied for by a local authority or the police. There have not been any notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued within the Chiltern district council local government area, which includes Chesham and Amersham. The table shows the number of notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued within Buckinghamshire by local government authority up to 30 June 2002 (latest available).
	We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made locally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
	
		Number of anti-social behaviour orders reported to the Home Office which have been issued as from 1 April 1999 to 30 June 2002 within Buckinghamshire by local government authority
		
			 Area From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(7) From 1 June 2000 to 30 June 2002 Total 
		
		
			 Police force area/MCC
			 Thames Valley 1 (8)9 10 
			 Local government authority
			 County of Buckinghamshire
			 Milton Keynes BC (9) 3 3 
			 Wycombe DC (9) 2 2 
		
	
	(7) Total figure only available for Thames Valley police force area within this period. Local government authority not known.
	(8) Includes total figure for counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
	(9) Not available.

Burrell Case

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department was informed of the collapse of Regina v. Paul Burrell; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 19 November 2002
	The Attorney General kept my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informed of developments immediately prior to the collapse of the Paul Burrell trial. This was a matter of courtesy; the Home Secretary has no responsibility for the conduct of criminal trials, the prosecution of which are entirely the responsibility of the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy is of his Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 19 November 2002
	With the exception of a limited number of staff who are entitled to claim excess fares allowance on permanent transfer, Home Office staff are responsible for paying their own everyday home to office travel costs. The introduction of a Central London Road User charge will not affect this. Home Office staff who travel on official business are required to use the most efficient and economical means of travel, taking all costs into account. Subject to that, staff who are required to drive their own vehicles, or hire vehicles, within the charging zone will be reimbursed.
	The estimated cost of the charge in relation to Home Office fleet vehicles is 53,000 per year. The additional cost in relation to individual journeys on official duty is not expected to represent a significant element of the overall budget for official travelling and related costs.

Conviction Rates

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the conviction rate was in relation to the overall number of estimated crimes in each year since 1992.

John Denham: Convictions for offences covered under the definition of recorded crime are only available on a consistent basis for all areas for 199899, 199900 and 200001. The available information is contained in the table.
	
		Convictions for notifiable offences as a percentage of recorded crime, England and Wales, 1992200102
		
			 Period Recorded crime Convictions Convictions as a percentage of recorded crime 
		
		
			 1992 5,591,717   
			 1993 5,526,255   
			 1994 5,258,139   
			 1995 5,100.241   
			 1996 5,036,552   
			 1997 4,598,327   
			 199899 5,109,089 755,705 14.8 
			 19992000 5,301,187 756,629 14.3 
			 200001 5,170,843 706,277 13.7 
			 200102 5,527,028   
		
	
	Notes:
	Criminal Statistics, England and Wales
	Crime in England and Wales, 200102
	Home Office Court Proceedings Database

Cycling (Accidents)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy that, in a motor accident between a driver and a cyclist, the driver should be presumed to be at fault.

Bob Ainsworth: There is no legal presumption to this effect, and the Government do not intend to introduce one. Road traffic law is based on the principle that the prime consideration in deciding how to deal with road traffic offenders should be the degree of culpability. In many cases, even though an accident between a driver and a cyclist might have had tragic consequences, the driver may not have been at fault. In the police investigation of such an accident, the cyclist and driver are treated on exactly the same basis. Any decision as to charges against either party will depend on an assessment of all the evidence available.

IT Securtity

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in (a) October and (b) 2002.

David Blunkett: The Home Office and its agencies use a variety of information technology (IT) systems, ranging from stand-alone machines to large networks. Those systems processing sensitive information are subject to on-going IT security accreditation checks by the Departmental Security Unit.
	The number of cases of digital attacks detected on Home Office systems was (a) 108 in October and (b) 2,518 in 2002.
	All these cases involved the detection and prevention of computer viruses. There were no recorded instances of hacking.

Murder (Sentencing Tariffs)

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has in relation to tariff-setting arrangements for those convicted of murder.

David Blunkett: The House of Lords has made decisions today in two cases that deal with the arrangements for the sentencing of adults convicted of murder. These judgments concern matters of fundamental significance for the criminal justice system and the role of Parliament and Ministers in formulating policy on the provision of adequate punishment for the guilty and the protection of the public.
	In the case of Pyrah and Lichniak, the House of Lords has confirmed that the mandatory life sentence for murder is compatible with the rights protected by the European Convention of Human Rights. This sentence will remain in place.
	The case of Anderson deals with the Home Secretary's power to set the tariff, or minimum period a convicted murderer must remain in custody until he becomes eligible for release. This power has ensured ministerial accountability to Parliament within the criminal justice system for the punishment imposed for the most heinous and serious of crimes. When Parliament took its decision to abolish the death penalty for murder, this was the framework with which it was replaced. The House of Lords has not ruled that the Home Secretary's power is unlawful. All existing tariffs therefore stand. The House of Lords has declared instead that the Home Secretary's power to set tariffs for those convicted of murder is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The existing law and tariffs set according to it therefore remain until new legislation is in place.
	This judgment will affect only the issue of who sets the tariff in each case. As is proper in a democracy, Parliament will continue to retain the paramount role of setting a clear framework within which the minimum period to be served will be established. I am determined that there should continue to be accountability to Parliament for these most critical decisions. This is fundamental to our democracy and to the maintenance of confidence in the criminal justice system.
	We need to study the judgment carefully before finalising our proposals but I intend to legislate this Session to establish a clear set of principles within which the courts will fix tariffs in the future. These principles will be debated and agreed by both Houses of Parliament and in setting a tariff, the judge will be required, in open court, to give reasons if the term being imposed departs from those principles. The Attorney General already has powers in relation to unduly lenient sentences and it will be open to him to challenge any tariff which he does not consider to be consistent with these principles.
	These principles will set a framework within which judicial discretion, which is an essential feature of sentencing, will operate. They will be robust and comprehensive. We envisage that they will comprise a statement of the major guiding principles followed by a series of clear messages about the tariffs Parliament expects to be imposed for different categories of murder. The principles will provide entry points for particular categories of murder, which would be adjusted up or down in line with specified aggravating and mitigating factors. The principles will set out that for the most serious crimessuch as the sexual, sadistic murder of childrenlife should mean life. The principles will incorporate the same aggravating factors upon which previous Home Secretaries and I have based our decisions. These factors will include murder committed in the course of armed robbery or the murder of prison or police officers in the course of their duty as set out to Parliament by my predecessor Leon Brittan in 1983. In the case of existing tariffs, these arrangements will ensure that any judicial reconsideration is on the basis of this same set of principles.
	I believe that coupled with the new arrangements for the determination of release of mandatory life prisoners by the Parole Board, under which I will have an opportunity to make representations on the impact of any future offending by the prisoner concerned, the provisions I have outlined will amount to a sensible and secure scheme for the management of life sentences generally. The new scheme will be compatible with our Human Rights obligations and will also ensure that Parliament has established the framework for dealing with the most dangerous and evil people in our society.

Murder Statistics (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many murders in Leeds were committed by a person well known to the victim in the last five years; and what proportion of the total number of murders this represents;
	(2)  what the clear up rate for murders committed in Leeds was in the last five years.

Hilary Benn: Details of homicides held centrally locate the offence by police force area only. The available information relates to currently recorded offences of homicide (murder, manslaughter and infanticide) by West Yorkshire police and is given in the following table.
	
		
			  199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			 Total number of currently recorded homicides 33 29 33 25 36 
			 Number of homicides where victim known to suspect 20 18 18 12 20 
			 Proportion of homicides where victim known to suspect (percentage) 61 62 55 48 56 
			 Number of homicides with suspect 30 26 33 23 34 
			 Percentage of homicides with suspect 91 90 100 92 94 
		
	
	As at 3 October 2001, figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.

North Wales Police

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) Home Office funding, (b) National Assembly funding and (c) local authority funding was received by North Wales police in each of the last 10 years at present-day prices.

John Denham: The available information is set out in the following table:
	
		 million 
		
			  Home Office grant(10) National Assembly for Wales grant(11) Council tax Total in cash terms Total at 200102 prices(12) 
		
		
			 199596(13) 35.3 24.5 8.8 68.6 80.2 
			 199697 37.6 24.0 10.7 72.3 81.9 
			 199798 37.3 25.1 11.2 73.6 80.9 
			 199899 39.1 24.1 13.6 76.8 82.1 
			 19992000 38.7 25.9 15.7 80.2 83.8 
			 200001 41.5 26.1 18.8 86.3 88.2 
			 200102 46.0 28.0 20.1 94.1 94.1 
			 200203(14) 49.6 28.7 23.6 102.0 99.5 
		
	
	(10) Home Office grant includes principal formula police grant, Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing grant, capital grant, DMA funding and Airwave grant. Under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) floors and ceilings arrangements, police authorities in England were guaranteed a minimum increase in principal formula police and ODPM grants of 2.3 per cent. for 200203. Floors and ceilings are not applied by the National Assembly for Wales, but to ensure North Wales benefited from a minimum increase of 2.3 per cent., my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary exceptionally agreed to make a special payment to North Wales police authority of 362,000.
	(11) National Assembly for Wales grant includes national non domestic rates and revenue support grant.
	(12) Real terms are at 200102 prices using gross domestic product deflator at 27 September 2002.
	(13) Before 199596, when most police authorities became independent local authorities, revenue support grant and national non domestic rates were paid as part of respective county council grant funding.
	(14) The grant figure for 200203 is not directly comparable with that for 200102 owing to changes in funding for the National Crime Squad/National Criminal Intelligence Service, now funded centrally rather than through police authorities. On a comparable basis, grant for 200102 would be 93.3 million.

Police

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what areas of police (a) deployment, (b) management and (c) enforcement he is responsible to Parliament for in terms of parliamentary questions.

John Denham: The Secretary of State for the Home Department is responsible to Parliament for an efficient and effective police service in England and Wales. To that end the Police Reform Act 2002 has extended the scope of regulations, codes of practice and directions to take remedial action that the Secretary of State may issue. The Secretary of State shares with chief officers of police and police authorities the management of policing, but is not responsible for the deployment of police officers and staff. Nor is he responsible for enforcing the lawthis is a matter for those who hold the office of a constable or who have otherwise been given specific powers by Parliament. The control and direction of police officers and police support staff is vested in the chief constable, save for those staff who by agreement work for the police authority.
	In former times, the Secretary of State has declined to answers related to police operations and this has been upheld by the Speaker. Recent Secretaries of State have often tried to accommodate hon. members with specific information relating to the police. Most information should be sought direct from the chief officer of police or the police authority.

Clifford Police Station (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many days York's Clifford street police station was closed during and following the flood in York in November 2000; what was the revenue cost to the North Yorkshire police authority of the closure; what assessment he has made of the wider economic cost to other people in North Yorkshire who use the police station and are protected by its services; what damage was done to the building; how much it cost to repair; and whether the cost of the repairs was covered by insurance.

John Denham: The Chief Constable of North Yorkshire police informs me that Clifford street police station was closed for the period between 3 November 2000 and mid February 2001.
	The main damage was to decorations and the flooring. The cost to the force, including cleaning and moving, was approximately 18,800. This was covered by the force's insurance.
	During the closure services were provided from the nearby Fulford road station. The force informs me that there may have been a marginal effect on response times but that there was no great effect on residents or businesses in the city centre.

Community Support Officers (Nottinghamshire)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce community support officers into Nottinghamshire Constabulary's 'B' Division.

John Denham: On 23 September my right hon.Friend the Home Secretary announced a fund of 19 million for the recruitment of more than 1,000 Community Support Officer's (CSOs) in England and Wales this financial year. 27 forces bid successfully for a share of this funding.
	Nottinghamshire is among the forces which will benefit from this. They bid successfully for 222,577 to recruit and train 12 CSOs and will deploy them on certain estates in the city of Nottingham.
	Deployment of CSOs is a matter for the Chief Officer of the force concerned. I understand there are no current plans to introduce CSOs into Nottinghamshire's 'B' Division.

Police Paperwork

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce paperwork for police officers.

John Denham: Sir David O'Dowd's taskforce was commissioned to give the Government a police service view of what could be done to tackle the administrative burdens and inefficient working practices which keep police officers off the streets. The taskforce report highlighted ways to free up significant amounts of officers' time. We have now set up a steering group, co-chaired by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office, to take the taskforce recommendations forward.
	The Government recognise its responsibilities to support this work, including considering changes to legislation where necessary. Indeed, in line with a number of taskforce recommendations, the Police Reform Act 2002 has already made the necessary changes in the law to enable chief officers to expand the range of functions that support staff can perform in the custody suite. We will also ensure that significant funding is made available to improve police information technology. This is a vital opportunity to change the culture and management of the police service and bring about a real difference to the everyday lives of officers on the front line.

Police Recruitment (Medical Standards)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to provide new guidelines to police forces on medical standards for police officer recruitment.

John Denham: holding answer 18 November 2002
	The medical and eyesight standards for entry into the police service have been reviewed as a part of the national recruitment standards project.
	We expect to receive the draft recommendations for the medical standards early next year. Following the consultation period the medical standards will be put in place.
	The draft recommendations for the eyesight standards have been circulated to forces for comments. Following consultation the new eyesight standards will be put in place early next year.

Police Recruitment (Medical Standards)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to meet the Acting Chief Constable of Leicester concerning ethnic minority recruitment.

John Denham: I have no current plans to do so. Support and assistance is being offered to forces on ethnic minority recruitment through annual reviews by the Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate Constabulary against agreed interim targets. Good or promising practice in the areas of recruitment, retention and progression will be promulgated when identified.

Police Transfers

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Chief Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis concerning the current advertising campaign by the Metropolitan police to encourage police officers of Thames Valley to leave their employment and work in the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I am aware of the concern about the recent advertisements issued by the Metropolitan police.
	It is healthy to have a degree of interchange of experience between police forces, to allow officers to pursue their personal and career development. But we have made clear that it is essential that recruitment exercises should be conducted in a responsible manner that does not cause operational difficulties for colleagues in other forces.

Retail Workers (Assaults)

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the trends in assaults on workers in the retail sector; and what action he has taken in the light of such assessments.

John Denham: Statistics are not collected on a regular basis about assaults on shop staff. However, we have launched the first independent crime victimisation study of the retail and manufacturing sectors for 10 years. This will gather valuable information about the types of crime businesses suffer and help in developing the best ways to tackle these. In May 2002 we issued XDon't Discount Crime, a new user-friendly crime reduction guide for retailers. This is of particular relevance to small retailers and includes basic guidance on what steps to take to reduce crime as well as what to do in crime situations. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also published Work- related violence: managing the risk in smaller businesses on 9 July 2002. The publication includes 10 case studies on reducing risk of violence to staff.

Security Alert Rating

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the security alert rating was for the country in each year since 1997.

David Blunkett: There is no single national alert system. Different systems apply in various public sectors, and there is a range of alert systems for critical industries, aviation and maritime interests, dependent on the circumstances of each. These are based upon assessments provided centrally.

Shotgun Licences

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent guidelines he has published for issuing shotgun licences; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Chapter 11 of the Home Office publication, XFirearms Law: Guidance to the Police, provides an overview of the shotgun certificate procedure. The guidance was published in March this year, but has been available on the Home Office website since December 2001.
	It is for the police to determine in individual cases whether or not to issue, refuse or to revoke a certificate.

Special Constables

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were employed by each police service in each year since 1992.

John Denham: For 1992 and 1993 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) collected data on the number of special constables in England and Wales at the end of the calendar year. In December 1992 there were 19,035 special constables. The figure for December 1993 was 20,573. The HMIC data was collected for the financial year 199495 when there were 20,026 special constables.
	Since 1995, data on special constabulary strength has been collected by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate for end of March and September each year. This is shown in the table.
	
		Special constable total strength, September 1995 to March 2002
		
			  September 1995 March 1996 September 1996 March 1997 September 1997 March 1998 September 1998 March 1999 September 1999 March 2000 September 2000 March 2001 September 2001 March 2002 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 676 688 662 759 629 621 584 547 482 459 416 400 391 364 
			 Bedfordshire 196 189 189 182 186 186 175 154 148 151 134 115 119 118 
			 Cambridgeshire 264 275 302 303 336 320 308 310 293 274 214 218 197 207 
			 Cheshire 269 274 350 475 491 459 416 407 358 350 307 290 233 191 
			 Cleveland 204 195 180 160 157 164 136 126 108 128 122 93 98 85 
			 Cumbria 221 201 184 189 184 198 210 204 193 176 167 156 125 102 
			 Derbyshire 440 413 405 428 414 380 355 317 303 282 286 275 263 260 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,079 1,102 1,133 1,148 1,079 1,024 916 918 908 870 836 796 780 689 
			 Dorset 230 254 263 289 325 315 303 305 287 298 278 267 258 253 
			 Durham 192 187 187 184 178 144 159 159 169 157 155 146 146 134 
			 Essex 548 608 614 634 641 638 590 544 528 483 478 445 413 381 
			 Gloucestershire 330 330 315 297 287 276 245 233 221 206 197 183 153 154 
			 Greater Manchester 749 746 710 685 657 598 567 523 498 457 408 367 355 338 
			 Hampshire 549 564 519 621 681 698 747 760 720 615 500 454 437 444 
			 Hertfordshire 307 315 309 297 306 306 267 238 232 216 214 198 177 206 
			 Humberside 380 391 363 340 348 324 289 269 263 246 198 212 207 207 
			 Kent 598 555 545 589 588 592 565 526 484 436 416 392 366 327 
			 Lancashire 594 553 510 483 500 489 465 449 397 382 362 360 325 363 
			 Leicestershire 334 360 391 415 402 406 350 316 303 247 202 162 155 143 
			 Lincolnshire 311 299 279 271 273 260 233 216 218 195 179 166 160 155 
			 City of London 81 77 90 86 84 76 69 64 66 56 46 43 34 36 
			 Merseyside 349 333 392 401 407 419 463 458 467 476 452 541 507 468 
			 Metropolitan police 1,657 1,850 1,797 1,714 1,528 1,282 1,214 1,138 1,173 758 754 774 753 680 
			 Norfolk 325 319 311 402 346 337 351 336 317 285 270 259 240 244 
			 Northamptonshire 298 289 301 316 314 288 262 230 210 199 195 188 177 177 
			 Northumbria 479 471 458 533 480 400 352 342 356 332 323 300 276 256 
			 North Yorkshire 359 360 368 362 337 358 302 276 245 217 189 182 186 185 
			 Nottinghamshire 534 537 596 620 597 558 530 461 405 411 411 335 281 341 
			 South Yorkshire 423 381 330 308 295 281 266 246 236 205 193 188 189 206 
			 Staffordshire 687 702 752 685 643 595 558 468 460 482 461 402 395 384 
			 Suffolk 419 407 391 379 300 397 402 420 420 391 376 349 322 308 
			 Surrey 241 260 248 297 231 235 226 224 205 175 168 149 176 187 
			 Sussex 514 511 485 472 465 442 415 393 377 352 317 306 301 306 
			 Thames Valley 764 744 731 656 694 609 587 569 514 472 463 418 377 356 
			 Warwickshire 351 340 357 381 379 345 323 261 260 260 260 221 208 209 
			 West Mercia 587 613 564 582 558 512 499 515 512 476 443 399 364 339 
			 West Midlands 849 897 913 945 949 889 784 731 697 680 662 617 604 598 
			 West Yorkshire 783 709 664 690 604 589 590 559 572 484 452 415 371 349 
			 Wiltshire 259 233 120 154 150 149 176 184 182 173 172 152 160 147 
			 Dyfed Powys 304 314 309 283 241 254 237 237 237 202 193 191 174 157 
			 Gwent 129 136 157 157 149 119 114 113 110 119 131 137 148 142 
			 North Wales 323 332 324 341 388 358 336 400 262 247 233 207 203 125 
			 South Wales 469 461 383 361 362 366 360 338 331 267 254 254 250 277 
			 Total 19,655 19,775 19,451 19,874 19,163 18,256 17,296 16,484 15,727 14,347 13,487 12,722 12,054 11,598

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving special constables there are; and how many there were in each year since 1997.

John Denham: Data on the strength of the special constabulary in England and Wales are collected by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate for the end of March and September each year. The numbers of special constables from March 1997 to March 2002 are given in the table.
	
		Special constabulary strength 19972002
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 March 1997 19,874 
			 September 1997 19,163 
			 March 1998 18,256 
			 September 1998 17,296 
			 March 1999 16,484 
			 September 1999 15,727 
			 March 2000 14,347 
			 September 2000 13,487 
			 March 2001 12,722 
			 September 2001 12,054 
			 March 2002 11,598 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures supplied by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on measures taken to recruit special constables.

John Denham: We are supporting forces in the recruitment of special constables through advertising and promotional material. In the last year, the Home Office has run a police specials recruitment campaign in the national press. Advertisements appeared under the police XCould You? campaign branding and sought to demonstrate the kind of situations that a special constable could face.
	Information is not available on the direct effect on recruitment, but expressions of interest on the hotline number and website rose from 247 in December 2001 to 1,681 in January 2002 when the ads were first run.
	We have also produced new recruitment literature, which will be sent to all new inquirers interested in becoming a special constable. A new information pack is also being produced for employers to promote the potential benefits business can derive from supporting staff who are interested in joining the special constabulary.

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what charges per officer are imposed by the police force for providing special constables to cover events where necessary.

John Denham: This information is not collected centrally. The decision whether to charge for the provision of special police services under section 25 of the Police Act 1996 is a matter for police authorities and chief constables.

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down the cost, per officer, of training and equipping specials within the special constabulary.

John Denham: This information is not held centrally.

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received concerning initiatives encouraging public sector employers to allow employees leave to serve in the special constabulary;
	(2)  what representations his Department has received from the special constabulary regarding payment and conditions;
	(3)  what representations his Department has received concerning the average length of time served by a special constable within the service;
	(4)  what representations his Department has received concerning the success of advertising for recruitment within the special constabulary;
	(5)  what representations his Department has received regarding the effectiveness of the special constabulary;
	(6)  what representations his Department has received regarding the introduction of (a) pay and (b) benefits for the special constabulary;
	(7)  what recent representations his Department has received regarding the number of special constables leaving the special constabulary.

John Denham: We consult regularly with representatives of the special constabulary and other stakeholders on the future development of the special constabulary and on conditions of service issues.
	We believe that the special constabulary has a vital role to play in combating crime and providing reassurance to the public.
	We are working with stakeholders on a package of measures which are designed to increase the size of the special constabulary. We intend to amend the Special Constabulary Regulations to provide greater flexibility for police authorities to a limited number of trial schemes for making small payments to specials. These trial schemes will require the approval of the Secretary of State. A new headline role for specials has been agreed and a national Xfoundation training package developed. We are working on joint Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) good practice guidance covering all aspects of the recruitment, management and deployment of specials.
	We have identified a number of Xspecial champions projects to take forward initiatives to support the good practice guidance and have allocated 300,000 this year for this work.
	We fully recognise the contribution employers can make to supporting the work of specials. We are looking at how we can develop closer links with employers to increase awareness of the range of skills specials acquire through their training and operational experience and to encourage engagement with the special constabulary.

Stolen Art and Artefacts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to provide a national database of stolen art and artefacts; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: The Home Office is considering with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the National Crime Intelligence Service and the police, the feasibility of implementing a national database of unlawfully obtained cultural property as recommended by the House of Commons Select Committee in a report entitled XCultural Property: Return and Illicit Trade published in July 2000.

Stolen Art and Artefacts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces employ specialists in stolen art and artefacts.

John Denham: The Home Office does not keep a central record of which forces employ specialists in stolen art and artefacts but all police forces in England and Wales appoint a due diligence officer who is a focal point for dealing with art and antiques crimes within their force.

Strip Searching

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the terms of reference are of the research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of strip searching; what consideration he has given to providing the manual completion and compiling of strip search records while an IT solution is being prepared; and what information on strip searches he has tasked the Prison Service IT provider to monitor.

Hilary Benn: The research into strip-searching to be conducted by the University of Nottingham was commissioned as a response to the review of searching. The Prison Service accommodates large and diverse populations all of which may have differing experiences and attitudes to strip-searching. The research was commissioned to identify whether, and if so what, changes can be made in the procedures for strip searching to improve its effectiveness. The aim of the research is to consider the views of staff, their approach and demeanour while conducting strip searches and the perceptions of prisoners of strip searching. A copy of the review of searching is available in the Library.
	While some records of strip searches are kept, for example of cell searches, to record every search would pose an unacceptable administrative burden and could only be achieved at a disproportionate cost. Manual records do not allow for easy analysis or collation of statistics and it is for these reasons that an Information Technology (IT) solution is being developed.
	The IT provider for the Prison Service has been asked to produce a system that will enable all prisons to record the frequency and outcomes of strip searches, to provide information on the prisoner, such as age, gender and ethnicity, the reason for the search, the amount of time taken to conduct the search, a record of finds, and a facility that can generate statistical information on strip searches.

Strip Searching

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on the use of strip searches and alternative body search technology in the prison regimes of other Council of Europe Member States.

Hilary Benn: The Police and Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) are responsible for carrying out technological research for the Prison Service. They are constantly looking at any new technology that is available on the market to ascertain if it would be suitable for use in prisons and the Prison Service has set aside resources to enable the Police Scientific Development Branch to do this. At present, there are no suitable available alternatives capable of finding all items found during a rub down or strip-search, such as drugs, weapons, or other contraband.
	All searches are carried out in accordance with legislation and European Court of Human Rights, and any new technology available on the market would not be considered if in any way either was breached.

Telephone Tapping (MPs)

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards the tapping of telephones of hon. Members.

David Blunkett: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister (Mr. Blair) informed the House on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 367W, Government policy remains as stated in 1966 by the then Prime Minister, the Lord Wilson of Rievaulx. In answer to questions on 17 November 1966, Lord Wilson said that he had given instructions that there was to be no tapping of the telephones of Members of the House of Commons and that if there were a development which required a change of policy, the Prime Minister would at such moment as seemed compatible with the security of the country, on his own initiative, make a statement in the House about it.

Young Offenders

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders were successfully prosecuted in (a) April 1997 and (b) April 2002 and what was the average sentence (i) given and (ii) served in (A) England and Wales and (B) North Yorkshire.

Hilary Benn: The available information, relating to April 1997 and April 2000 is contained in the table.
	Information for 2000 is the latest currently available, that for 2001 being published in December and that for 2002 due for publication in the Autumn of 2003.
	
		Persons aged 10 to 20 convicted of all offences at both magistrates' courts and the Crown Court in April 1997 and April 2000, those sentenced to immediate custody and average sentence length, -- England and Wales and North Yorkshire
		
			  England and Wales North Yorkshire England and Wales North Yorkshire England and Wales North Yorkshire 
		
		
			 April 1997 19,997 268 1,877 19 11.3 7.4 
			 April 2000 18.530 219 1,866 20 9.6 5.4 
		
	
	The average sentence served is available for young offenders (aged under 21) discharged from prison. Table 3.13 in Prison Statistics England and Wales 2000 provides statistics on the average time served for young offenders discharged during 2000 from determinate sentences on completion of sentence or on licence. Equivalent information for those discharged in 1997 is given in Table 3.13 of Prison Statistics England and Wales 1997. Copies of these publications are in the Library.
	Figures for North Yorkshire are contained in the table.

CABINET OFFICE

PIU Report on Sport

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the PIU Report on Sport will be published.

Douglas Alexander: The joint Strategy Unit/DCMS Report on Sport will be published in due course.

Charter Marks

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government Departments hold (a) a Charter Mark and (b) a Plain English web award.

Douglas Alexander: No Government Departments are Charter Mark holders themselves.
	Currently 2,485 organisations within the public sector are Charter Mark holders, covering a wide range of sectors such as health, education, the courts, the employment service, Inland Revenue, local government and Police Forces. For example, all but a handful of local authorities have been awarded Charter Marks for a total of 874 individual services.
	Plain English awards are a matter for individual Departments and are not coordinated centrally. There is no central record of these awards maintained within the Cabinet Office.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Arson

Paul Holmes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many incidents of arson there have been in the United Kingdom in each year since 1992.

Christopher Leslie: The table contains information on the number of malicious fires attended by local authority fire brigades in the United Kingdom in each year between 1992 and 2000 (the latest year for which data are available). Malicious fires are those where malicious or deliberate ignition was proved or suspected (this includes fires which were recorded by the brigade as 'doubtful').
	
		Malicious fires attended by location, UK, 19922000(15) -- Thousands(16)
		
			  Location  
			  Total Dwellings Other buildings Road vehicles Other outdoors 
		
		
			 1992 79.5 10.6 15.7 47.8 5.5 
			 1993 80.2 10.8 16.9 46.6 6.0 
			 1994(17) 84.6 13.7 22.4 40.3 8.2 
			 1995 85.5 13.8 21.9 41.5 8.3 
			 1996 88.4 14.3 21.4 44.4 8.3 
			 1997 82.6 13.8 18.9 42.2 7.6 
			 1998 86.2 13.4 17.1 48.8 7.0 
			 1999 103.0 13.9 17.9 63.0 8.2 
			 2000(15) 111.1 14.2 18.0 70.8 8.2 
		
	
	(15)Provisional.
	(16)Figures are rounded and the components do not necessarily sum to the independently rounded totals.
	(17)Figures from 1994 are based on sample data weighted to brigade totals. They include 'late' calls and heat and smoke damage only incidents, which were not recorded prior to 1994.

Arson

Paul Holmes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many incidents of arson there were in (a) Chesterfield and (b) Derbyshire in each year since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: In 2000, the Fire Service in Derbyshire attended 1,225 fires where malicious or deliberate ignition was proved or suspected (this includes fires which were recorded by the brigade as 'doubtful'). This compares to 1,244 such fires in 1999, 1,003 in 1998 and 949 in 1997. Incident data are not available below brigade area level. 2000 is the latest year for which data are available.

Asylum Seekers (London)

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the financial impact on each London borough of their duties with regard to asylum seekers and refugees; and what assistance he has given to London boroughs to cope with these financial pressures.

Nick Raynsford: We have looked carefully with local government during the spending reviews at all the pressures that they face. Additionally, we have provided local authorities with increases in general revenue grant since taking office. London boroughs received an average general grant increase of 5.6 per cent. in the current financial year.
	We have also revised the formats of the grants providing essential living needs of asylum seekers supported under the Asylum Support (Interim Scheme) Regulations 1999, as amended and are looking to do the same with the grant for unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to provide resources to house the families with children in Redbridge who reside in temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast accommodation.

Barbara Roche: In June this year, the London Borough of Redbridge was allocated just over 426,000 to help them reduce the number of homeless families with children in Bed and Breakfast hotels (BB) and to meet the national commitment of ensuring that by March 2004 no such household is in BB, other than in an emergency, and even then for no more than six weeks. Rebridge will also benefit from the increased housing benefit subsidy rates, estimated nationally at 10 million, introduced in April this year. This provides additional subsidy to local authorities to secure self-contained temporary accommodation, rather than BB, for homeless households.
	The net costs to local authorities of securing accommodation for homeless applicants, apart from those costs related to the use of authorities' own housing stock, are funded through general grant. Grant is distributed through Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) and local authorities' responsibilities in this area are contained within the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) SSA block. The London Borough of Redbridge received an increase in it's EPCS SSA of 1.35m which equals a 3 per cent. increase. For local authorities overall, the EPCS SSA is set to increase by an average of 4 per cent. a year up to 2005/06.

Birth Certificates

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is possible for a father's name to be left blank on a birth certificate in a case where the name of the father is known.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Oliver Letwin dated 25 November 2002
	As National Statistician and Registrar General, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning whether it is possible for a fathers name to be left blank on a birth certificate in a case where the home of the father is known.
	Under current law, the home of the father is not a factor in whether his name appears on the birth certificate or not.
	There is a common law presumption that a child born to a married woman is the offspring of the mother and her husband. In these circumstances, the law requires the husband's name to be recorded as the father in the birth registration unless that presumption is rebutted.
	Where the parents are not married to each other, there is no such presumption of paternity. By law, the name of the child's father may be recorded in the birth registration only where paternity is acknowledged by both parents or where it has been established by an appropriate court order. Otherwise the father's name would be left blank.

Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the Department of Education and Skills and (b) the Department of Health regarding runaway children in care.

Barbara Roche: The Social Exclusion Unit in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently working on projects on both the educational attainment of children in care and young runaways. Ministers and officials from the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Health have been very closely involved in both projects.

Civil Service

Julian Brazier: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people over the age of 60 (a) are employed in the civil service and (b) were appointed to full-time positions in the civil service in the last 12 months.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on the age of civil servants is collected centrally via the Mandate system, which covers about 98 per cent. of those employed. (a) In April 2002, there were 8,540 civil servants aged over 60, representing 1.7 per cent. of the total. (b) In the year to April 2002, 350 staff aged over 60 were recruited to full-time posts. This represents 0.5 per cent. of all new full-time appointees.

Civil Service

Julian Brazier: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the employment of people over the age of 60 in the civil service.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	In line with all employers in the public and private sector, the Government believes that the civil service should be allowed to determine retirement age policy with regard to its business needs while giving staff as much choice as possible about when they retire. Departments and agencies are free to set the normal retirement age for their own staff subject only to the requirement that the minimum age at which civil servants can retire with full superannuation benefits is 60.
	Against this background, 75 per cent. of the civil service now has the option to remain in work until 65, and a further 11 per cent. has the option to remain in work on short service concessions. Those Departments and agencies which have decided that there is a strong case for retaining a retirement age of 60 in the current circumstances will be expected to continue to re-examine the issue and look positively at offering more flexibilities to older staff.
	The normal retirement age for the senior civil service is 60. However, Heads of Departments and Agency Chief Executives have the flexibility to retain members of the senior civil service beyond 60 if they judge it to be in the public interest and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.

Contaminated Land (Greater London)

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much land in the Greater London area is contaminated; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: There are no figures currently available on how much land in the Greater London area is contaminated. A survey of London boroughs was carried out by LPAC in 1993 that indicated that at that time there were about 1,400 hectares of land that were not able to be developed for an alternative use without a significant degree of treatment.
	Since April 2000 local authorities in England have been under a statutory duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land under part IIA (Xcontaminated land) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. To date, local authorities have mostly concentrated on preparing inspection strategies. The majority of these have now been been published and for many authorities inspections are under way.

Council House Sales

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many council properties were sold under the right to buy in (a) December 2001 and (b) January 2002;
	(2)  how many council properties were sold under the right to buy in (a) December 2000 and (b) January 2001;
	(3)  how many council properties were sold under the right to buy scheme in (a) December 1999 and (b) January 2000.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Data on the sale of council dwellings are collected from local authorities in England on a quarterly rather than monthly basis. Information on quarterly right to buy sales is presented in Table 6 of the publication XHousing Statistics, March Quarter 2002, and is also available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website.

Council Tax

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy to permit local authorities a greater discretion in the setting of discounts for council tax payable by single people.

Christopher Leslie: On 19 November, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced that we would include provision in our Local Government Bill to enable English and Welsh local authorities to introduce their own locally defined discounts and exemptions. This would allow local authorities to increase the national 25 per cent. single person discount if they so wished. Local authorities would not have power to reduce or remove the current 25 per cent. discount.

Eden District Council

David Maclean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what impact changes in the local government formula grant will have on public services in Eden District Council, Cumbria.

Nick Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will announce the new system for distributing Formula Grant, including detailed grant allocations for individual authorities, at the time of the provisional local government finance settlement which we expect to be around the start of December. Once the Government have allocated their grant, decisions about budgets and services are primarily for local councils to make. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has already guaranteed that no authority will face a cut in grant next year on a like for like basis, and hopes to do better than that when announcing the actual floors and ceilings scheme as part of the provisional settlement.

Empty Homes

Nick Harvey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to abolish the 50 per cent. discount on council tax for empty homes; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich announced in a written statement on 19 November that we would be giving English local authorities the discretion to reduce or remove the current 50 per cent. council tax discount on long-term empty property. We are including the necessary provision in our forthcoming Local Government Bill and, subject to parliamentary approval, we aim to implement this change in time for 200405 council tax bills.

English Partnerships

John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria are being used to determine whether the coalfield programme is maintained by English Partnerships or the regional development agencies.

Tony McNulty: In announcing the outcome of the quinquennial review of English Partnerships on 24 July 2002, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed English Partnerships' role in regenerating those places most badly affected by abandonment and decay and confirmed that he was asking English Partnerships to continue to operate the National Coalfields Programme. This approach was considered to offer the most effective method of delivering the programme.

English Partnerships

John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultation with hon. Members is planned on the future of English Partnerships.

Tony McNulty: Hon. Members were welcome to make their views known on the future of English Partnerships during the recent Quinquennial Review. Views received were taken into account and the outcome of the review was announced to Parliament on 24 July 2002.

Fire Service College

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects the suspension of Mr. Terry Glossop, the commandant of the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh to be resolved; what investigations have taken place; what further investigations need to be undertaken; how many written reports he has received; how many of his officials have been involved; and what reasons underlie the length of time the investigations have lasted.

Christopher Leslie: The investigation into financial regularity and propriety is currently under way. Mr. Glossop is fully aware of the arrangements. As the investigation is on-going it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

Fire Services (CBRN)

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many CBRN decontamination facilities have been established since 11 September 2001, and where they are.

Christopher Leslie: We have taken steps to assure the efficient functioning of the fire service's existing decontamination facilities and to facilitate, by agreement, the delegation of decontamination operations from local ambulance services to the fire service. Additional equipment, funded from the Capital Modernisation Fund, is on order and will be deployed in 2003. Its location is being determined by an assessment of risk.

Firefighters' Dispute

Angela Browning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what costs are being centrally reimbursed to fire authorities in respect of additional expenses they incur due to the strikes by the fire brigade union.

Nick Raynsford: Central Government will meet the additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence in providing emergency fire cover, and by Police Authorities in supporting it. Central Government will not meet any other additional expenses incurred by Fire Authorities due to strikes by the Fire Brigades Union.

Government Programmes

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was budgeted in (a) 200001 and (b) 200102 for (i) Excellence in Cities, (ii) Neighbourhood Management and (iii) Business Brokers Programme; what funds budgeted for in each year were not spent; and whether funds were carried forward in each case.

Barbara Roche: Excellence in Cities (EiC) had a total budget allocation of 182 million for the financial year 200001, of this some 12 million was unspent and reverted to the departmental central budget.
	For the financial year 200102 the total budget was some 303.1 million. Information is not yet available on amounts left unspent by the EiC Partnerships, however any unspent funds will remain within the EiC authorities to be re-allocated, this reflects new flexibilities now available under the DfES Standards Fund.
	Neighbourhood Management Pathfinders (NMP) and the Business Brokers (BB) are two programmes which form part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit's New Ventures Fund (NVF). Plans for both programmes were put in place after the unit was set up in April 2001; there were no budgets for either in 200001.
	The NVF had a total budget of 50 million for 200102. Of this 6 million was allocated to NMP in 200102 and expenditure totalled 2.4 million. BB proposals were less advanced and expenditure totalled 41,000. Some 22 million of NVF funding was unspent to be carried forward.
	Both programmes form part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit's spending plans for this year 200203 and for the SR2002 period.

Homelessness

Adam Price: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless families there are in the UK.

Barbara Roche: Information on local authorities' activities under homelessness provisions in England is published in a quarterly Statistical Release, XStatutory Homelessness: England. Table 2 of the Statistical Release presents a summary of those households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1996 Housing Act
	Copies of the Statistical Release are held in the House Library and the latest edition, published on 11 September, presents statistics up to and including the second quarter of 2002.
	For information about other parts of the United Kingdom, I refer the hon. Member to my. right hon. Friends the members for Torfaen, Airdrie and Shotts and Hamilton North and Bellshill.

Housing Research

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what internal and external research programmes and reports have been commissioned by (a) the Affordable Housing Unit and (b) the Planning Housing and Growth Unit since February.

Tony McNulty: The Research Analysis and Evaluation division has commissioned, on behalf of the Affordable Housing Unit and the Government Office for London, three research projects.
	1. Research aimed at helping to accelerate schemes involving affordable housing through the development process, in April 2002. (XImproving the delivery of Affordable Housing).
	2. Research on the potential to utilise the space above existing buildings in and around London and the south-east (such as garages and supermarkets) for mixed development was published in February 2002.
	3. Research on the potential for using fiscal measures to tackle the affordability problem was commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in late 2001, and published in September 2002.
	As with other parts of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Planning Housing and Growth Unit will be drawing on the departmental research programme which oversees a wide range of urban, housing, planning and development issues. The unit will commission additional research when necessary.

Local Authorities (Fraud)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if a hotline for reporting fraud within and against local authorities has been introduced.

Christopher Leslie: Since a high proportion of fraud perpetrated against local government is benefit fraud by the public, the Department for Work and Pensions has established a fraud hotline which people can telephone to give information about benefit fraud. Many local authorities have also established fraud hotlines.

Local Authorities (Fraud)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have established staff anti-fraud practices; and what form these systems have taken.

Christopher Leslie: The Audit Commission's January 2001 publication XProtecting the Public Purse included the following summary of anti fraud arrangements in local government:
	
		
			  Percentage of councils answering 'yes'  
			 Question 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Does the council have an anti fraud and corruption strategy? 50 72 84 
			 Does the council have formal arrangements to comply with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998? n/a 56 87 
			 Does the council have a police liaison contact? 46 74 80 
			 Does the council have a local code of conduct for members? 89 91 92 
			 Does the council have a standards committee? n/a 26 57

Local Government Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of spending by (a) Buckinghamshire county council, (b) South Buckinghamshire district council and (c) Wycombe district council has been financed by council tax payers in each year since January 1996; and what proportion is to be financed by council tax payers in 200203.

Christopher Leslie: The proportions of revenue expenditure financed from the council tax for Buckinghamshire county council, South Buckinghamshire district council and Wycombe district council in the financial years 199596 to 200203 are set out in the table:
	
		Income from council tax as a percentage of spending
		
			 Year Buckinghamshire county council(18) South Buckinghamshire district council Wycombe district council 
		
		
			 199596 27 38 37 
			 199697 28 31 39 
			 199798 31 33 41 
			 199899 34 63 42 
			 19992000 34 48 47 
			 200001 35 58 55 
			 200102(19) 34 55 35 
			 200203(19)
		
	
	(18) For 199798 onwards this excludes the area of Milton Keynes borough council, which became unitary from 1 April 1997.
	(19) 200102 and 200203 are budgeted figures; 199596 to 200001 are outturn figures.
	Source:
	199596 to 200001 Revenue Summary Returns. 200102 and 200203 Budget Estimate Returns

Manton Pit Site

John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the timescale is for agreement between English Partnerships and the East Midlands Regional Development Agency on the infrastructure works and marketing of the former Manton pit site;
	(2)  what the English Partnerships' budget is to bring the former Manton pit site to the market.

Tony McNulty: English Partnerships and the East Midlands Regional Development Agency have already agreed on much of the infrastructure works and marketing of the former Manton Pit site. In addition, reclamation and the agreed level of infrastructure work has been delivered through an agreement with English Partnerships and the East Midlands Regional Development Agency, which is currently on the market. However, both organisations continue to work towards establishing the needs for further works, and may seek approval for further expenditure depending on the outcome of an economic appraisal which they hope to bring to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister early in 2003.
	To date, 4.3 million has been approved for investment in Manton Colliery in order to reclaim, service, manage and market the site as well as undertake further feasibility work to consider additional investment.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have implemented the Learning Curve neighbourhood renewal scheme; and if he will list them.

Barbara Roche: The Learning Curve, published on 21 October, is the Government's strategy to promote better skills and knowledge for everyone working in neighbourhood renewal. It sets out 23 measures, including face to face advice, regional networks, and an innovative website, renewal.net, to ensure that everyone, including local authority staff working in our most deprived areas can acquire the skills and knowledge they need to deliver real, lasting change. Some measures are already in place, others will be developed with a range of organisations, including the Local Government Association and local authorities, over the coming months.
	I have placed a copy of the Learning Curve strategy in the House Libraries.

Park Homes

Angela Browning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he intends to publish the Government's response to the survey on the economics of park homes; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister welcomes the publication of the report on the Economics of the Park Homes Industry, which makes an important contribution to addressing issues of concern to park home residents. It highlights the importance of site owners taking a professional approach to financial management of the park, and the need for those who are buying a park home to be aware of their current position under the law and of the costs and risks involved.
	There is no plan to publish a formal Government response to the report.

Planning

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish his Department's research into the effectiveness of implementation of PPG3 and on the progress made by local authorities in carrying out urban capacity studies; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The intention of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is to publish the research by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners on assessing the implementation of PPG3 as soon as possible, however the timing is dependent on satisfactory completion of the report. 90 per cent. of unitary authorities and district councils responding to the questionnaire survey forming part of this research had, by spring 2002, completed an urban housing capacity study or had one in preparation.

Planning

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of (a) partnership working between counties in cross-border policy making on PPG3 issues and (b) the effectiveness of regional planning bodies in facilitating this; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department's review of the effectiveness of the implementation of PPG3 includes assessment of how sensitively possible conflicts with PPGs 15 and 16 have been resolved in practice;
	(3)  what consultations his Department is having as part of its research into the effectiveness of implementation of PPG3; and whether these consultations include contacts with (a) English Heritage and (b) the DCMS with regard to the impact of urban infill on the historic environment and heritage of cities.

Tony McNulty: The research for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners on assessing the implementation of PPG3 has:
	(i) considered cross-boundary working between planning authorities in the context of planning for sub-regional housing markets and the distribution of previously-developed land. The research has found evidence of improvements in joint working since PPG3 was published but also a number of difficulties. The research points to a number of options for addressing these and highlights the important role to be played by our proposed regional spatial strategies.
	(ii) found that protection of the historic environment has been the basis for refusals of planning permission for residential development.
	(iii) included a postal survey of local planning authorities, housing departments, house builders and regional development agencies. This survey has been supplemented by in-depth interviews with a number of organisations across the English regions with first-hand experience in planning for housing. The research team has not discussed the impact of urban infill on the historic environment and heritage of cities with either English Heritage or the DCMS but this matter has been raised by others.

Public Services (Babergh)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what impact changes in the local government formula grant will have on public services in Babergh.

Nick Raynsford: We will announce the new system for distributing formula grant, including detailed grant allocations for individual authorities, at the time of the provisional local government finance settlement which we expect to be around the start of December. Once the Government have allocated its grant, decisions about budgets and services are primarily for local councils to make. However, we have already guaranteed that no authority will face a cut in grant next year on a like for like basis, and we hope to do better than that when we announce the actual floors and ceilings scheme as part of the provisional settlement.

Rough Sleepers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when his Department next plans to undertake a street count of those living rough in (a) London and (b) West Sussex.

Barbara Roche: Local authorities are responsible for homelessness in their areas and as such also take responsibility for the co-ordination and timing of street counts. It is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister policy that areas where more than ten people are sleeping rough conduct a count at least every twelve months. This would apply to any local authority areas in West Sussex or London.

Rough Sleepers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what methodology is used to count the number of rough sleepers; and what plans he has to change this.

Barbara Roche: Guidance was first published in 1996 on counting methodology developed in partnership with charities and voluntary organisations helping people sleeping rough. Independent evaluation has confirmed that the methodology remains the most robust method for measuring relative levels of rough sleeping and of change over time.
	Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the counts are undertaken and that the methodology is followed. The snapshot counts should take place on a single night, between 12 am and 6 am. The definition of people who should be included in rough sleeper counts is clearly set out in the guidance. It is: people sleeping, or bedded down, in the open air (such as on the streets, or in doorways, parks or bus shelters); people in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations or bashes).
	There are no current plans to change this methodology. Changing the methodology could reduce the value of counts in measuring change.

Rural Deprivation

David Maclean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of rural deprivation in the local government formula grant review.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 4 November 2002, Official Report, column 52W.

Rural Services

David Maclean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he has taken of the extra cost of providing services in rural areas in the local government formula grant review.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 4 November 2002, Official report, column 49W.

Rural Services

David Maclean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research was conducted by his Department into the impact of dispersal and settlement patterns on the cost of providing services in rural areas as part of the local government formula grant review.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole on 4 November 2002, Official Report, column 4950W.

Social Exclusion Unit

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the reports the Social Exclusion Unit is working on and the proposed completion dates in each case.

Barbara Roche: The SEU is contributing to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's aim to create thriving, inclusive, sustainable communities, with current projects looking at:
	young runaways;
	transport and social exclusion; and
	the educational attainment of children in care.
	We hope that the young runaways and transport reports will be published shortly. The children in care report will be published in the New Year.

Social Housing

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties were classified unfit for human habitation in (i) December 2001 and (ii) January 2002;
	(2)  how many (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties were classified unfit for human habitation in (i) December 2000 and (ii) January 2001;
	(3)  how many (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties were classified unfit for human habitation in (i) December 1999 and (ii) January 2000.

Tony McNulty: The precise information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Local authorities in England report a wide range of housing information on their annual Housing Investment Programme returns, including the number of residential properties which the authority considers likely would be Xcertifiable as unfit under the legislation as defined in Part XVIII of the Housing Act 1985 as amended by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The latest available data on this basis, for the past three years, is presented in the table.
	
		Numbers of unfit(20) dwellings in England
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			  
			 Dwellings owned by:
			  
			 Local Authorities 173,490 160,600 151,930 
			  
			 Registered Social Landlords 11,610 14,690 21,660 
			  
			 Other private or public 1,254,320 1,253,750 1,198,730 
			  
			 All unfit residential properties 1,439,420 1,429,040 1,372,320 
			  
		
	
	Notes
	(20) Dwellings regarded as failing to meet one or more of the statutory fitness criteria, but not necessarily certified as unfit. All figures as at 1 April.
	Source:
	ODPM Housing Investment Programme returns (annual)

Social Housing

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many empty (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties there were in (i) December 2000 and (ii) January 2001;
	(2)  how many empty (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties there were in (i) December 2001 and (ii) January 2002;
	(3)  how many empty (a) local authority properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) residential properties there were in (i) December 1999 and (ii) January 2000.

Tony McNulty: The precise information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Local authorities in England report a wide range of housing information on their annual Housing Investment Programme returns, including the number of residential properties vacant as on 1 April. The latest available data for the past three years is presented in the table:
	
		Numbers of vacant dwellings in England
		
			 Dwellings owned by 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Local authorities 83,900 87,200 80,300 
			 Registered social landlords 32,600 37,500 41,300 
			 Other private or public 650,500 635,800 633,500 
			 All vacant residential properties 767,000 760,500 755,100 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	Sources:
	Vacant local authority dwellings are taken from ODPM's annual Housing Investment Programme (HIP) returns.
	Vacant Registered Social Landlord (RSL) dwellings figures are taken from the Housing Corporation's annual Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) completed by RSLs.
	Total vacant residential dwellings figures are calculated summing local authority, XOther public sector and XOther private sector data from ODPM's HIP returns, together with RSL vacant dwellings from the Housing Corporation's RSR return.

Supporting People Strategy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have not drawn up a shadow Supporting People Strategy.

Tony McNulty: All local authorities have drawn up a Supporting People Strategy.

Supporting People Strategy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many complaints his Department has received from (a) local authorities, (b) service providers and (c) service users regarding the implementation of the Supporting People Strategy.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been in constant dialogue with all partners and stakeholders throughout the implementation of the Supporting People Programme through the Supporting People Kweb and the Supporting People helpline.
	The helpline takes on average some 100 calls per week and 'complaints' are not registered separately.

Temporary Accommodation

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the quality of temporary accommodation provided by London boroughs; and what action he has taken in the light of these assessments.

Barbara Roche: Homelessness legislation requires that all temporary accommodation offered to homeless households must be suitable, taking account of the law on unfitness, overcrowding and multiple occupation houses.
	London boroughs also have a duty to ensure that their environmental health officers carry out regular inspections of all bed and breakfast hotels used for statutorily homeless households in their locality. They must abide by the joint London boroughs' code of practice on hotel standards.
	We are committed to end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families with children except in an emergency, and even then for no more than six weeks, through a number of measures to promote better quality self-contained accommodation and action to prevent homelessness.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Ministerial Visits (East Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many times the Lord Chancellor has visited East Lancashire in his official capacity; and what the purpose was of each visit.

Rosie Winterton: The Lord Chancellor has not visited East Lancashire in the course of his official duties. The following table details the number of official visits to Lancashire undertaken by the Parliamentary Secretaries at the Lord Chancellor's Department since 1997, and the purpose of each visit.
	
		
			 Date Place visited Purpose 
		
		
			 23 September 1998 Burnley To visit the Magistrates Court 
			 15 September 1999 Blackburn Roundtable Meeting for North West Associate Pioneers 
			 15 September 1999 Rawtenstall Visit to the Magistrates Court 
			 11 October 1999 Rawtenstall Visit to the Magistrates Court 
			 5 October 2000 Preston Visit to the Preston Combined Court 
			 5 October 2000 Blackburn Visit to Magistrates Court 
			 23 January 2001 Preston Community Legal Service Event 
			 5 February 2002 Preston Launch of Preston e-mail application unit 
			 19 February Preston Visit to the Court of Protection at the Combined Court 
			 7 October 2002 Blackburn Domestic Violence Roadshow

Wasted Costs

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in the last five years a judge has made a wasted costs order.

Yvette Cooper: The Department does not collect information on the making of wasted costs orders centrally. To ask all the courts in England and Wales to provide the information to answer the Question would be at a disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

Mental Health (Murders)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many murders have been committed by persons with mental disorders in the community but not taking their medicine in the periods (a) 1990 to 1993, (b) 1993 to 1997, (c) 199899 and (d) 2000 to 2002.

Jacqui Smith: The National Confidential Inquiry in to Suicides and Homicides by People with a Mental Illness started data gathering in 1996, and have data which are fully analysed and published available to the end of 1999.
	The data show that between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 1999 there were a total of 145 homicides committed by people with a mental illness who had been in contact with mental health services (i.e. secondary care) in England and Wales in the 12 months prior to the homicide offence. Of these 32, or 26 per cent., were reported to be non-compliant with medication in the month before the event.

Acute Stroke Beds (North Cheshire)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people who had suffered a stroke were admitted to acute stroke beds in each of the hospitals constituting the North Cheshire Hospitals Trust in each of the past five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available centrally in the form requested. However, the table shows the latest available published data 1 for finished consultant episodes for stroke at Halton General Hospital and Warrington Hospital national health service Trusts for each of the five years 199697 to 200001.
	
		
			 Trust 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			 Halton general hospital NHS Trust 93 90 112 129 68 
			 Warrington hospital NHS Trust 259 224 264 242 240 
		
	
	(21) Hospital Episodes Statistics: Finished Consultant Episodes for XStroke (ICD10 code 160169)

Acute Stroke Beds (North Cheshire)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute stroke beds are available in each hospital in the North Cheshire Hospitals Trust; and how many will be available in each hospital under the trust's plan A Vision for Future Services.

Jacqui Smith: . There are currently 24 acute stroke beds at Warrington Hospital. At Halton Hospital, stroke patients are currently admitted to general acute beds as there are no beds dedicated to stroke care. Under the plan outlined in the discussion document, XVision for Future Services, the 24 acute stroke beds at Warrington Hopital would be retained and six new acute stroke assessment beds established at Halton Hospital.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have suffered irreversible vision loss as a result of wet age-related macular degeneration in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: A study sponsored by the Macular Disease Society in 2001 estimated that there were 182,000 people with age-related macular degeneration with a best eye visual acuity below that judged appropriate for certification as blind or partially sighted. Around 10 to 15 per cent. of those will have the 'wet' type of the condition; it is not possible to say how many of which have benefited from treatment.

Antipsychotic Medicines

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to maximise compliance and minimise compulsion in relation to the use of antipsychotic medicines for severe mental illness.

Jacqui Smith: This Government see the development of robust community-based mental health provision as the key to ensuring that people adhere to their care plans helping them maintain their care and treatment.
	The NHS Plan proposed to increase and develop the number of community-based teams, such as crisis resolution teams, also called home treatment teams, assertive outreach teams, also known as assertive community treatment teams, early intervention teams and community mental health teams. These teams will support and encourage patients to adhere to their care plans, minimising the need for compulsory treatment.

Autism

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department gives to adults with autism.

Jacqui Smith: Adults with autism are benefiting from funding of over 200,000 which the Department made through the Section 64 Scheme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations between 199899 and 200102. We are currently devoting a further 154,000 over three years to the National Autistic Society project XIndependence and Autism: Good Practice for Service Providers. This will support the development of new services to enable adults with autism or Asperger's Syndrome to live independently.
	The XValuing People White Paper directly covers every adult with autism who also has a learning disability. Implementation guidance, issued in August last year, makes clear that adults with Asperger's Syndrome or higher functioning autism are not precluded from using learning disability services, where appropriate, and may require an assessment of their social functioning and communication skills in order to establish their level of need. By bringing together a wide range of local statutory agencies, XValuing People gives us the scope to improve opportunities and services for people across the autistic spectrum.
	People with autism will also gain, along with others, from the investment we are making to improve standards in health and social care services. In particular they will benefit from the NHS Plan, the mental health national service framework, which covers the mental health needs of adults with autism, and fair access to care services.

Beta Interferon

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the criteria are for the prescription of beta interferon to multiple sclerosis sufferers; and how patients obtain funding.

David Lammy: holding answer 20 November 2002
	All patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and those with secondary progressive MS, in which relapses are the dominant feature, are eligible under the Xrisk-sharing scheme for treatment with a disease modifying drug on the national health service if they meet the criteria set out by the Association of British Neurologists.
	Patients with relapsing-remitting MS should:
	be able to walk independently (beta interferons) or at least 100 metres without
	assistance (glatiramer acetate);
	have had at least two clinically significant relapses in the last two years; and
	be aged 18 or over.
	Patients with secondary progressive MS should:
	be able to walk at least 10 metres with or without assistance;
	have had at least two disabling relapses in the last two years;
	have had minimal increase in disability due to gradual progression over the last two years; and
	be aged 18 or over.
	NHS bodies are required to fund any treatment within this scheme prescribed by clinicians for eligible patients, in accordance with statutory directions.

Cane Hill

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is in negotiations with a third party over the future of Cane Hill, Coulsdon; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Cane Hill site at Coulsdon is included in the one-off-sale. A preferred party has been selected for the one-off sale portfolio, which includes the Cane Hill site.
	It is intended to conclude this one-off sale of the Secretary of State's retained estate as soon as possible. With a number of sites included within the portfolio, there is a need for a substantial and detailed negotiation before contracts can be exchanged.

Car Parking

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many car parking spaces are available to (a) employees of his Department and (b) visitors to his Department within the proposed Central London Road User Charging Zone.

David Lammy: holding answer 19 November 2002
	There are 150 parking spaces within the congestion charging zone, available to both employees of this Department and visitors. Spaces are not specifically allocated to staff and visitors. This response does not cover parking on national health service property.

Cataract Surgery

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in West Sussex are waiting for cataract surgery, broken down by hospital trust.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Number of patients waiting for specialty ophalmology in Surrey  Sussex Strategic Health Authority, by National Health Service Trust
		
			 Trust Total waiting list Less than 3 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 9 months 9 to 12 months 12 to 15 months Over 15 months 
		
		
			  
			 Worthing  Southlands 1,740 529 476 366 240 129 0 
			 Surrey  Sussex Healthcare 1,110 592 424 89 5 0 0 
			 Brighton  Sussex University 1,584 693 517 308 56 10 0 
			 Royal West Sussex
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures as at end of September 2002.
	2. Information is only available for the wider ophalmology specialty.
	3. Information is provided for those trusts in or providing services for West Sussex residents.
	4. No figures are held for opthalmology at the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust.
	Source
	DH Return KH07

CBRN Incidents

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made in establishing (a) a national doctrine, (b) national standards and (c) national commonality of equipment to enable ambulance services to respond to a CBRN incident.

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made in establishing (a) a national doctrine, (b) national standards and (c) national commonality of equipment to enable ambulance services to respond to a (i) chemical, (ii) biological, (iii) radioactive and (iv) nuclear incident.

David Lammy: holding answer 21 November 2002
	Ambulance services are required to maintain their capability to respond to a range of major incidents, including chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear incidents. But due to the changes in risk and scale, the Ambulance Service Association has been working in conjunction with other emergency services to produce a national approach based on a common doctrine, standard approach and common procedures. This work is approaching its conclusion and that we can expect recommendations shortly. National procurement arrangements for interim personal protective equipment have already been completed and higher specification equipment and decontamination units are now being delivered, which will ensure that each ambulance service will have access to common equipment.

CBRN Incidents

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance personnel in each ambulance trust have been trained in dealing with a CBRN incident.

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance personnel have been trained in dealing with a (a) chemical, (b) biological, (c) radioactive and (d) nuclear incident in each ambulance trust.

David Lammy: holding answer 21 November 2002
	Ambulance services, based on their local risk assessment, were required to train teams of staff in dealing with a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear incident. As they take delivery of decontamination units and newer protective equipment, further training programmes are being instigated on a cascade basis. The current number of staff trained is not collected centrally.

Community Psychiatric Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS community psychiatric nurses there were in each year since 1995.

John Hutton: Between September 1995 and September 2001, the number of qualified nurses employed in the community psychiatry area of work increased by over 3,500, or 43 per cent.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed in the community psychiatry area of work in England as at 30 September each year
		
			  Whole-time equivalents Headcount 
		
		
			 1995 7,970 8,560 
			 1996 8,710 9,330 
			 1997 9,010 9,740 
			 1998 9,460 10,230 
			 1999 9,710 10,550 
			 2000 10,190 11,080 
			 2001 11,040 12,220 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
	2. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts
	3. Figures exclude learners and agency staff
	4. Figures are for qualified nurses working in community psychiatry. This includes community psychiatry nurses and nurses with other first level qualifications
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost is to his Department of the Central London Road User Charging Scheme for (a) 17 February 2003 to 31 March 2003, and (b) 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004.

David Lammy: holding answer 19 November 2002
	Any additional costs to the Department as a result of the congestion charging scheme will be just one element within wider costs which have to be met from budgets for official travelling and other costs.

Deaf Children in Care (Sexual Abuse)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of deaf children suffered sexual abuse while in local authority care in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold this data centrally

Delayed Discharges

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled in (a) England and (b) Wales in the last three months; and how many of these were due to delayed discharge.

John Hutton: In England, data are collected on the number of patients whose operation has been cancelled for non-clinical reasons Xon the day of surgery and at the last minute. The most recent data available for the quarter ending June 2002 shows there were 14,808 operations cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons, of which 10,819 operations were cancelled on the day of surgery.
	The data collected on cancelled operations for non-clinical reasons are not broken down into the reasons for cancellation. Therefore, no data can be provided on how many operations are cancelled due to delayed discharge from hospital.
	Health matters in Wales are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

Dementia

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to improve the training of doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on Government support for people with Alzheimer's Disease;
	(3)  what recent representation he has received about the need for earlier diagnosis by GPs of dementia;
	(4)  how the National Carers Strategy is meeting the needs of people who care for those with dementia.

Jacqui Smith: The Government fully recognise the importance of ensuring that the needs of people with dementia and their carers are met. For that reason, the national service framework (NSF) for older people has a standard, a service model and milestones to monitor progress around the health and social needs of older people with mental health problems, including all people with dementia, and requirements around meeting the needs of their carers.
	A key element of the NSF requirements is ensuring early diagnosis of dementia. We are aware of concerns over this, and of the research funded by the Alzheimer's Society to assess ways of helping primary care teams with diagnosis and treatment of dementia. The Department's care group workforce team for older people's services is also looking at the training needs of staff working with people with dementia.
	Various other strands of work are under way to help with implementation of the NSF. For example, consideration is being given to the inclusion of a clinical guideline on the management of dementia within the programme of work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
	As a result of the national carers strategy, carers of people with dementia have a right to an assessment of both their needs and ability to continue caring. Ring-fenced money totalling 85 million this year and 100 million next year has been provided to allow carers to take short term breaks from their caring responsibilities. In certain circumstances, carers may also receive cash that they can use to purchase the services they need.

Dermatology (West Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Action on Dermatology programme capital projects have been awarded to primary care trusts in West Sussex.

Hazel Blears: The former West Sussex Health Authority was allocated 142,000 in action on dermatology funding. Information is not available centrally on how this money was disseminated to the wider health community.

Domiciliary Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of hours was an individual in (a) England and (b) Wales received domiciliary care in (i) May 1997 and (ii) the last month for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The number of hours of home care is collected for households, not individuals. The average number of hours of home care received by a household in England was 5.4 hours in September 1997 and 7.6 hours in September 2001. Corresponding data for 2002 are not yet available.
	Information on the number of people receiving home care in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Domiciliary Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) England and (b) Wales were receiving domiciliary care in (i) May 1997 and (ii) the last month for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: In 200001, some 1.3 million adults in England were helped to live independently at home through the provision of a variety of community-based social services. Corresponding data for 199798 is not available.
	The number of households receiving home care in England in September 1997 and September 2001 was 479,100 and 381,200 respectively. The number of people in these households is not known.
	Information on the number of people receiving home care in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Exeter Hospice

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the amount received by the Exeter Hospice this year was an allocation from the NHS Cancer Plan for Specialist Palliative Care.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave her on 23 October 2002, Official Report, column 396W. Information is not held centrally on the sources of the funding provided to Exeter Hospiscare.

Finished Provider Spells

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished provider spells in hospital for 018 year olds there were in 200001, in each (a) health authority and (b) NHS trust.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Flu Vaccinations (West Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people have been given flu vaccinations in West Sussex; and what percentage of the elderly population of the county this represents.

Hazel Blears: I am advised by Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority that by 31 October the number of older people over 65 immunised against flu in West Sussex was 79,747. Although this is the most recent count available locally of individual patients, the strategic health authority estimates that by 18 November, 55 per cent, of over 65s in West Sussex had been immunised.

Foreign Nurse Recruitment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agencies have been brought to the attention of his Department by work force development confederations for failure to adhere to the ethical foreign nurse recruitment policy.

John Hutton: Work force development confederations have reported three cases since the code of practice was established.

Foreign Nurse Recruitment

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reimbursement and relocation expenses are paid to nurses recruited to the NHS from countries other than the UK.

John Hutton: In 1999, the Department published a document, XGuidance in International Nursing Recruitment. The document clearly outlines the responsibilities of trusts in the payment of reimbursement and relocation expenses.
	It is the responsibility of national health service employers to pay for recruits' airfares to ensure they are met on arrival in the United Kingdom. The document stipulates that NHS employers must make sure that appropriate accommodation is available for the recruit before they arrive in the country.
	There is a General Whitley Council (GWC) agreement on removal expenses: section 26 of the GWC Handbook, which is essentially an enabling agreement insofar as it gives the employer discretion about how much removal expenses are payable and to whom.

Foster Carers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the recruitment drive to recruit foster carers.

Jacqui Smith: There was a national recruitment drive in 2000. The campaign succeeded in its aim to raise the public profile of foster care, help establish a positive image of foster care as vocational and professional, and challenge the stigma of children being in public care. It resulted in a large number of people requesting the information packs. The choice protects review is considering recruitment of foster carers and there is a clear message that the best recruitment campaigns are those delivered locally, so that the methods of recruitment can be responsive to local populations. The Department is supporting work on this through a Section 64 grant to fostering network, who are working with local authorities to develop advice on how best to go about recruitment.

Foundation Hospitals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what constraints there will be on foundation hospital trusts' autonomy over the level of local pay settlements for clinical and non-clinical staff;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the accountability mechanism for foundation hospital trusts;
	(3)  who will be eligible to sit on boards of foundation hospital trusts; and how they will be appointed.

John Hutton: We will shortly issue a publication that will set out in detail our proposals to establish national health service foundation trusts.

Free Nursing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what arrangements his Department is making to avoid confusion in the new payment system for free nursing care where PCT and social services boundaries are not coterminous;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the transactional costs between PCTs and social services arising from the new payment system for free nursing care (a) by NHS Region and (b) for England.

Jacqui Smith: . Circular HSC 2001/17: LAC(2001)26 contains guidance on the respective responsibilities of the national health service and local authorities on NHS funded nursing care. Further supplementary guidance on the arrangements from April 2003 will be published shortly. This will emphasise the need to ensure that transactional costs are kept to a minimum.
	The level of funding that will be available to primary care trusts in England for 200304, including the amounts needed for administration, are currently under consideration and will be announced in due course.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of vacancies for GP posts there are; what the average number of applicants per GP vacancy post was in the last 12 months; and what the average time to recruit for a GP vacancy post in the Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust was in the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Hearing Aids (Blackpool)

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when digital hearing aids will be available to patients of Blackpool Victoria Acute Health Trust.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 November 2002
	Blackpool Victoria Hospital Trust issues patients with digital hearing aids based on the patient's individual clinical need. However, the trust is currently negotiating with the local primary care trust for additional funding, which will extend this provision further.

IT Security

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in (a) October and (b) 2002.

David Lammy: Protection of the Department's information technology (IT) systems is of primary importance, and the risk of digital attack is continually re-assessed in the light of changes in technology and the perceived danger. Technical and procedural measures are regularly adjusted to take account of changing circumstances.
	The Department recently achieved compliance with the British Standard (BS7799) for Information Security, which covers IT security procedures. To ensure IT security processes and procedures remain effective, regular independent security audits and tests are conducted.
	The number of cases of digital attack detected was 2 in October and 3,476 in 2002 to date. These attacks were all in the form of e-mailed computer viruses.

Looked-after Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many looked-after children obtain (a) no GCSEs, (b) one A-G GCSE, (c) five A-G GCSEs, (d) one A*-C GCSE and (e) five A*-C GCSEs in 2002; and what targets have been abandoned for the educational achievement for looked-after children in the last year.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the educational qualifications of children who ceased to be looked after in England during year ending 31 March 2002 are not yet available. The Department plans to publish these data on 28 November 2002.
	The Government have not abandoned any of their public service agreement targets on the educational achievement of looked-after children.

Mass Contamination

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the Memorandum of Understanding agreed in December 2001 between his Department and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, setting out the arrangement for co-operation between the Fire Service and the Ambulance Service to respond to mass contamination of the public.

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Memorandum of Understanding agreed in December 2001 between his Department and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, setting out the arrangement between the Fire Service and the Ambulance Service to respond to mass contamination of the public.

David Lammy: holding answer 21 November 2002
	The Memorandum of Understanding is between two Government Departments, and as such, did not constitute agreement between Fire and Ambulance Services, but is intended to provide a national framework against which those services can produce locally agreed plans and procedures for mass decontamination. A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding will be placed in the Library.

Mass Contamination

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to treat mass casualties arising from a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear attack.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 November 2002
	The planning for the response to a mass casualty incident involves the scaling up of the normal response to a major incident. Following the September 11 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, specific guidance was issued to the national health service on the public health response to the deliberate release of chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear incidents, mass decontamination and mass casualties.
	The Department has made available, through the emergency planning section of its website, www.doh.gov.uk/epcu, a comprehensive package of guidance for clinicians on dealing with the consequences of deliberate release. This information is regularly updated. The website contains a link to the public health laboratory service website, which provides additional clinical and other information.
	Additional arrangements have been put in place for the provision of decontamination units and protective equipment for NHS staff and strategic stockpiles of medical supplies and other equipment.

Mental Health (Deaf People)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of detention was for deaf people detained under the Mental Health Acts in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Mental Health Bill

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish his mental health bill; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: A draft Mental Health Bill and consultation document was published on 25 June 2002. The consultation exercise closed on 16 September and we are currently considering almost 2000 replies. We intend to introduce a Bill as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

New Treatments

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is regarding NHS provision of new treatments recommended by a consultant clinician before these have been assessed by NICE.

David Lammy: National health service bodies should use existing arrangements to access the publicly available evidence and to determine local policies for the managed entry of new interventions, as set out in Health Circular HSC 1999/176.

NHS Dentists

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will rank the primary care trusts in order of the number of vacancies available on NHS dentists' lists at the last date for which information is available.

David Lammy: Most general dental practitioners (GDPs) working in the national health service general dental services are self-employed and are free to choose and vary the number of patients they wish to register. Primary care trusts do not control patient registrations and there is no fixed limit for the number of patient registrations allowed per dentist. Furthermore, patients do not need to be registered to be seen by an NHS dentist.
	It is therefore not possible to quantify the number of Xvacancies on dentists lists.
	The number of GDPs continues to increase. There were 18,114 GDS practitioners on 30 June 2002, of which 16,181 were principal dentists. This compares to 18,004 and 16,167 respectively, 12 months earlier.

NHS Dentists

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio is of NHS general dental practitioners to population in each primary care trust area.

David Lammy: Primary care trusts (PCTs) assumed responsibility for dentistry on 1 October 2002.
	The ratios of national health service general dental practitioners to population in each PCT area are not yet available centrally.

NHS Dentists

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists per head of population there were in (a) England and (b) each NHS region in each of the last six years.

David Lammy: The number of national health service dentists per 100,000 population for England and for each NHS region for 1996 to 1997 is contained in table 1. The regional breakdown is different for 1998 to 2001 due to reorganisation and these figures are contained in table 2.
	NHS dentists covers dentists working in the general dental service (GDS), hospital dental service (HDS), community dental service (CDS), personal dental service (PDS) and salaried service of the GDS. Dentists have been counted in each dental service in which they practise apart from dentists working in the PDS and GDS that are counted as GDS dentists only.
	These figures are on a headcount basis rather than a whole time equivalent (wte) basis and therefore take no account of part-time working.
	
		Table 1: NHS dental services: numbers of dentists(22) per 100,000 population(23), 1996 to 1997England
		
			  1996 1997 
		
		
			 England 40.7 41.6 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 39.6 39.1 
			 Trent 36.9 35.1 
			 Anglia and Oxford 37.1 38.6 
			 North Thames 46.3 47.0 
			 South Thames 46.4 48.2 
			 South and West 43.0 42.5 
			 West Midlands 33.8 36.4 
			 North and West 39.2 42.1 
		
	
	(22) Dentists are counted in each dental service in which they practice apart from dentists working in the PDS and GDS that are counted as GDS dentists only.
	(23) ONS mid year population estimates based on the 1991 Census.
	
		Table 2: NHS dental services: numbers of dentists(24) per 100,000 population(25),England
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 England 42.6 43.4 43.9 45.8 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 39.9 40.3 40.8 43.0 
			 Trent 35.5 36.9 37.2 37.7 
			 West Midlands 37.2 37.6 38.6 40.6 
			 North West 42.9 44.0 43.7 45.5 
			 Eastern 39.5 40.5 41.4 43.2 
			 London 53.0 52.9 52.7 55.4 
			 South East 42.9 44.2 44.9 47.0 
			 South and West 46.3 47.2 48.3 49.9 
		
	
	(24) Dentists are counted in each dental service in which they practice apart from dentists working in the PDS and GDS that are counted as GDS dentists only.
	(25) ONS mid year population estimates based on the 1991 Census

NHS Litigation Authority

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims the NHS Litigation Authority received in the 200102 financial year in respect of employer liability; how much it paid out in costs; and how many cases remain outstanding.

John Hutton: The national health service litigation authority received 2,439 claims from NHS employees in the financial year 20012001. Of these 2,210 remain open.
	A total of 1.89 million has been expended on these claims in total but this figure includes on-going payments in claims which remain open.

NHS Litigation Authority

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims in respect of employer liability remain unresolved by the NHS litigation authority; and of these, how many are up to (a) six months old, (b) one-year-old, (c) two-years-old, (d) three-years-old, (e) four-years-old and (f) over four-years-old.

John Hutton: There are a total of 4,820 claims for compensation from national health service employees currently being handled by the NHS litigation authority. Of these:
	1,163 are up to six months old.
	1,113 are between six months and 12 months.
	1,822 are between 12 and 24 months.
	687 are between 24 and 36 months.
	35 are between 36 and 48 months.
	The litigation authority took over the handling of claims in 1988.

NHS Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio is of medical and clinical staff practising in the national health service to total staff employed by his Department, health NDPBs and the NHS.

John Hutton: The data are shown in the table. 64 per cent. of staff employed in the national health service, Department of Health and health non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are medical and clinical staff practising in the NHS.
	
		Staff and medical and clinical staff employed within the NHS, Department of Health and NDPBs in England
		
			  All staff Medical and clinical 
		
		
			 Total 1,175,348 750,636 
			 NHS 1,167,166 (26)750,018 
			 DH 4,953 134 
			 NDPBs 3,229 484 
		
	
	(26) Includes doctors, GPs, nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, scientific, therapeutic and technical staff, health care assistants, nursing, midwifery and health visiting learners and ambulance staff.

North-West NHS Staff Redundancy

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total cost of severance and redundancy payments to employees of the Bury health care, North Manchester health care, and Oldham and Rochdale NHS trusts on the formation of the Pennine Acute hospitals trust.

Jacqui Smith: Pennine Acute hospitals national health service trust was established on 1 April 2002, following the dissolution of Bury health care, North Manchester health care, Oldham and Rochdale health care NHS trusts. The new trust inherited 22 directors, eight of whom have been, or will be, made redundant.
	The total cost of their severance packages is 1,758,617. The directors have not received this sum of money collectively; the figures represent the cost to their employers and include the capitalized costs of early retirement pensions as well as redundancy payments.
	The severance packages have all been approved by the appropriate remuneration committees and signed off by the trusts' external auditors.

Nursing and Residential Care

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people sold their homes to pay for (a) nursing and (b) residential care in Shrewsbury and Atcham in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally.

Ophthalmology Choice

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to the Ophthalmology Choice scheme as a part of the Patient Choice Project; and for what duration.

John Hutton: The London Patient choice project has allocated 11 million in 200203 towards providing choice for ophthalmology patients in London. Funding for 200304 and future years has yet to be confirmed.

Pain Management

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all NHS hospitals have in place policies for the assessment and management of pain.

David Lammy: While the Department does not collect information on this issue centrally, we do know from the Clinical Standards Advisory Group report, published in April 2000, that acute pain services were available in 220 out of 250 national health service trusts throughout the United Kingdom, and that in addition, local pain guidelines had been widely developed.

Primary Mental Health Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many graduate primary care mental health workers there are, in each NHS region.

Jacqui Smith: No graduate primary care workers have been employed yet. Funding to employ graduate primary care workers will be allocated to primary care trusts with their general allocation next financial year.

Prescriptions

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to enable those individuals who have a disability affecting their mobility to obtain repeat prescriptions via a general practice surgery or pharmacist (a) by telephone and (b) otherwise remotely.

David Lammy: holding answer 21 November 2002
	We expect general practitioner practices to provide information for patients on how they may obtain repeat prescriptions. Local pharmacies may also decide to offer patients a range of repeat medication, prescription collection or prescription delivery services.

Prescriptions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral statement of 18 November 2002, Official Report, column 365, on benefit uprating, what will be the entitlement of a single person receiving contributory jobseekers allowance in 200203 and 200304 to free prescriptions; and what estimate he has made of the number of recipients of contributory jobseekers allowance who receive free prescriptions.

David Lammy: holding answer 21 November 2002
	People receiving contributory jobseekers allowance are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions, but may make a claim for help under the national health service low income scheme. Whether or not they are entitled to free prescriptions will depend on their personal circumstances. Their entitlement will be calculated using the current rate of income support plus allowances and premiums. No help is available if a person has capital of more than 8,000 (12,000 if they or their partner are aged 60 or over). In 200102, 29 people receiving contributory jobseekers allowance successfully claimed entitlement to free prescriptions.

Severe Mental Illness

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to give legal status to advance statements for people with severe mental illness.

Jacqui Smith: Following consultation on the Draft Mental Health Bill we are considering how to ensure that, wherever possible, patient's views are taken into account while they are being treated under compulsory powers, whether expressed in an advance statement or in any other way.
	In the policy document 'Making Decisions' the Government said,
	Xa clear statement of the present legal position concerning advance statements would be helpful to lawyers, doctors and patients.
	This would affect many other patients including those with severe mental illness treated voluntarily, who for whatever reason, lose the ability to make their own decisions. An Incapacity Bill will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Social Workers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policies he is introducing to make existing social workers realise that their work is valued.

Jacqui Smith: The Government and the Department of Health are committed to the enhancement of the professional status of those involved in social care work.
	The national social care recruitment campaign, launched in October 2001, has just entered its second year. It is aimed at informing the public about social work and social care, as well as encouraging recruitment and retention. The campaign includes both national and local press and radio advertising and particular efforts are being made in some areas such as London and the South East that have more severe problems with recruitment and retention of social workers.
	This commitment was further proven by the introduction of the Care Standards Act 2000, this brought into being, among other regulatory bodies, the General Social Care Council (GSCC). The GSCC is responsible for improving standards across the sector and registering qualified and competent social workers and social care staff. As part of this process, the GSCC published codes of practice for social care workers and employers on 23 September 2002.
	The training strategy implementation fund 15 million in the current yearis available to all employers in social care to support 26,500 staff to participate in skill development programmes. The focus of half of this funding will be to strengthen the National Vocational Qualification infrastructure within the workplace. With this investment, employers will be able to further train their staff and managers and establish a culture of lifelong learning and continuous professional development within social care.
	Introduction of the new three year degree and bursaries will be a unique opportunity to transform the status, image and position of social workersmaking social work what it should be, a graduate profession in its own rightand build on the best of social work education and training.

Specialised Health Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what directions his Department gave to the regional specialist commissioning groups in requiring them to seek the views of their local providers, commissioners and patients' and carers' representatives.

John Hutton: Regional specialised commissioning groups (RSCGs) were asked to seek views within their RSCG area of their local providers, commissioners and patients'/carers' representatives on commissioning arrangements for specialised services and to submit an overall RSCG response to the Department by 30 September 2002.

Specialised Health Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the process and timetable is for completion of the review into commissioning specialised services; how the views of patients will be taken into account, and when he will announce the outcome.

John Hutton: A summary of the responses will be placed in the Library in December and guidance will be issued in the new year.
	The responses of patients' organisations to the review will be considered alongside other responses received. Each regional specialised commissioning group (RSCG) sought views of their local commissioners, providers and patients' organisations. London RSCG commissioned the College of Health to consult patient groups and received 31 responses as a result; two national patient organisations were represented on the national review group; and 14 responses from individual patients' associations and voluntary organisations were submitted directly to the Department.

Specialised Health Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many responses his Department received as part of its review of commissioning arrangements for specialised services from (a) regional specialised commissioning groups, (b) local service providers, (c) commissioners, (d) patients' representatives and (e) carers' representatives; and how many responses were submitted directly.

John Hutton: A total of 53 responses were directly submitted to the review of commissioning arrangements for specialised services.

Specialist Stroke Services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's 200304 Priorities and Planning Guidance will require action from hospitals on developing specialist stroke services; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department's 200306 priorities and planning framework requires that by April 2004 all general hospitals caring for people with stroke have a specialised stroke service. The national service framework for older people established the development of an integrated stroke service and improvements in the delivery of stroke care as a priority.

Trained Nurses

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained nurses there were in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001 in England and Wales.

John Hutton: As at March 2000, there were 634,529 nurses registered with the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (now the Nursing and Midwifery Council). This is the number of nurses registered to practice throughout the United Kingdom. It fell to 632,050 in 2001 and rose to 644,024 in 2002.
	Between September 2000 and September 2001, the number of qualified nurses employed in the national health service in England increased by 4 per cent. from 335,950 to 350,380. This marked the early achievement of the NHS Plan target for 20,000 extra nurses by 2004 over a 1999 baseline.
	Information on Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Trained Nurses

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government spent on fees in respect of training nurses in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: Work force development confederations contract directly with local universities for nurse training and spent 342 million on tuition costs in 200102, the latest year for which information is available.

West Sussex Health Authority

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the financial deficit of the West Sussex health authority at its dissolution; and how this was divided between the primary care trusts that took over its commissioning role;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the level of the financial deficit of the Princess Royal hospital, Haywards Heath at the time of its merger with the Royal Sussex County hospital, Brighton; and how this has been apportioned.

Hazel Blears: The Surrey and Sussex Strategic health authority has advised me the former West Sussex health authority did not have a deficit.
	The Princess Royal hospital was part of Mid Sussex national health service trust. On 31 March 2002 the trust was dissolved and the management of the acute services provided by the hospital was transferred to the Brighton and Sussex University hospitals NHS trust. The final accounts of the Mid Sussex NHS trust presented an outturn deficit of 2.7 million. However, the underlying deficit was 4.7 million.
	In June 2002 the trust was allocated transitional funds of 4 million from the NHS bank to offset the underlying deficit. The trust planned to manage the remainder of the deficit through cash releasing efficiency savings.